by TG co-op student, Karishma Gabriel
Sun Parlor students, your mission, should you decide to accept it,
is to lead the fight for the preservation and protection of your
surrounding environment!
What were your biggest concerns when you were between the ages of
four and eight? Chances are, you weren't too involved in the
environment. At Sun Parlor Junior School, in Essex, Ontario,
students from Junior Kindergaten to grade two are taking active
steps to ensure a healthy future for the environment.
The students at Sun Parlor set out on a mission of beautification.
They chose to clean-up an empty lot adjacent to their school. The
clean-up included removing iron and concrete debris from the
vacated area.
The next step was Habitat Creation. Sun Parlor created a pond
complete with native water plants and marine life (e.g. frogs,
minnows and crayfish). They constructed pathways, planted
wildflowers and trees, and even built a wheelchair accessible deck
for the school's disabled students.
The Sun Parlor students have more environmental activities planned
for the near future. Short term plans include another major
clean-up and the addition of a bog, which will encourage more
habitat for frogs, toads and minnows. Long term projects include a
weather station to monitor climatic changes, and the development
of more natural habitat for native plants and animal life.
For their outstanding contribution towards the protection of the
planet, Sun Parlor has even received recognition from the National
Geographic Society.
The Sun Parlor students accepted the challenge of preserving the
future of the planet and protecting their inheritance.