Marens matter to DYS students

News Release
RRDSB

The March 6, 2012 Board Meeting of the Rainy River District School Board was held at Donald Young School in Emo. At the meeting, the Board presented its Recognition of Excellence to Donald Young School for its Martens Matter project that provided an environmental education opportunity for intermediate students.
Environmental education has a tremendously important role to play in guiding us towards a more sustainable future. The Martens Matter project provided Donald Young Grades 7 and 8 students with the opportunity to learn about nature and how things interact in the natural world; this knowledge allows the students to see the impact of human actions. The population of the pine marten, a member of the weasel family, has been affected by logging practices because these animals rely on old growth forests for food and shelter.
Nesting boxes built out of rough lumber simulate a natural nest. The Grade 7/8 class traveled to Rainy River High School and with the help of the high school shop teacher and students, over twenty pine marten nesting boxes were constructed. The nesting boxes where built by hand with donated wood and basic tools. Students worked in triads – two elementary students with one high school shop student. Every student built a box. These boxes were then transported to Nestor Falls School where staff, students and parents placed the boxes throughout the community.
“Rural communities provide us with a variety of opportunities to incorporate environmental education into the curriculum. Citizens around the world are increasingly concerned about environmental quality and the sustainability of resources,” said Kerri Tolen, Principal of Donald Young School. “Through projects such as Martens Matter, students learn that even though one person can make a difference, together we achieve more.”
Recognizing that environmental stewardship and sustainable development are key factors in ensuring that future generations enjoy the same quality of life that we do today, the Rainy River District School Board continues to develop a broad variety of environmental education programs within all of its schools. The goals of these programs include teaching students about the natural environment, demonstrating easy ways to conserve and recycle, encouraging students to get involved in environmental projects in their community, showing students how environmental policy plays a role in future planning, and encouraging students to help raise awareness of environmental issues.