Lake Simcoe: Living and Learning

Opened in Autumn, 2004 First partnership in Ontario of its kind between a school board– York Region District School Board- and Ontario Parks, MNR. First partnership in Ontario of its kind between a school board– York Region District School Board- and Ontario Parks, MNR.

Over 5000 students per year- Every day of the school calendar

Grades 2, 4 and 7

A Sense of Wonder

Hands-on Learning

Links to The Ontario Curriculum

Grade 2: The Water Game

Grade 4: Habitats and Communities

Wetland Ecosystem Studies

Dipnetting for Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Indicator Species of wetland health

Grade 7: Interactions in Ecosystems and Natural Resources, Watershed Studies

Black River Subwatershed

Lake Simcoe Ecology Study

Tests for dissolved oxygen, phosphorous, nitrates, acidity (pH) and alkalinity.

Looking for signs of phosphorous loading and weed growth

Garbage in Lake Simcoe

Invasive Species: Zebra Mussels

Round Goby

Lake Simcoe Ecology Game

Connect, Care, Change Connect, Care, Change

Lake Simcoe Conference, Sibbald Point Provincial Park, June 2008 For YRDSB Grades 7 and 8 students attending schools in the Lake Simcoe Watershed For YRDSB Grades 7 and 8 students attending schools in the Lake Simcoe Watershed Presentation Partners: Sibbald Pt Outdoor Ed Centre, Sibbald Pt Provincial Park; Invasive Species Program; MNR – Fishing with Wil Wegman; LSRCA – Community partnerships with Dana Eldon. Presentation Partners: Sibbald Pt Outdoor Ed Centre, Sibbald Pt Provincial Park; Invasive Species Program; MNR – Fishing with Wil Wegman; LSRCA – Community partnerships with Dana Eldon.

Lake Simcoe Public School and the Adopt-A-Stream Program On October 20, 2009, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority presented the “Education Award 2009” to the staff and students of Lake Simcoe Public School. The school was recognized as a “watershed hero” for its efforts in planting over 300 trees along Amberlee Creek in the Lake Simcoe watershed, which is adjacent to the school. Due to these efforts, the school also earned a Silver Ecoschools award. On October 20, 2009, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority presented the “Education Award 2009” to the staff and students of Lake Simcoe Public School. The school was recognized as a “watershed hero” for its efforts in planting over 300 trees along Amberlee Creek in the Lake Simcoe watershed, which is adjacent to the school. Due to these efforts, the school also earned a Silver Ecoschools award.

Teacher Training on the Black River YRDSB Outdoor Ed Centres partner with Nipissing University to offer Environmental Science Ontario College of Teachers Additional Qualification Courses

Teacher Training Continued YRDSB Outdoor Ed Centres partner with York University to offer Outdoor Experiential Education Ontario College of Teachers Additional Qualification Course: We visit the headwaters of the Black River in the Hollidge Tract on the Oak Ridges Moraine and do watershed studies.

In-Service Teacher Training Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Dana Eldon presenting on Wed. Dec 8, 2010 to York University’s Faculty of Education on LSRCA Educational Programs. Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Dana Eldon presenting on Wed. Dec 8, 2010 to York University’s Faculty of Education on LSRCA Educational Programs.

Sibbald Point Outdoor Education Centre and Ecoschools Certification – Gold past 3 years

Want to TAKE ACTION with your STUDENTS? Check out these Resources: Adopt a Stream: (905) : work with community groups and schools to assess and protect local streams (e.g. by planting shade species). Also see Adopt a Stream: (905) : work with community groups and schools to assess and protect local streams (e.g. by planting shade species). Also see Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: Teacher Dana Eldon of the LSRCA will come to your school and give an excellent (FREE!) presentation on watersheds and wetlands. She will gear it to your grade level. See: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: Teacher Dana Eldon of the LSRCA will come to your school and give an excellent (FREE!) presentation on watersheds and wetlands. She will gear it to your grade level. See: Canadian Wildlife Federation: provides many courses (Project WILD, Below Zero, Fishways), resources (including great posters) as well as action ideas and funding for habitat stewardship projects: Canadian Wildlife Federation: provides many courses (Project WILD, Below Zero, Fishways), resources (including great posters) as well as action ideas and funding for habitat stewardship projects:

Resources Continued Eco-Schools: YRDSB is encouraging all York Region schools to become certified Eco-schools. The Eco-Schools website (below) provides a step-by-step guide which will enable your school to become a leader in conservation and environmental awareness and practice. For information and/or to register, visit: Eco-Schools: YRDSB is encouraging all York Region schools to become certified Eco-schools. The Eco-Schools website (below) provides a step-by-step guide which will enable your school to become a leader in conservation and environmental awareness and practice. For information and/or to register, visit: Yellow Fish Road: Students learn about their local water supply and how to protect it from hazardous wastes. Then they paint a yellow fish near the storm drain to remind residents that whatever goes down the storm sewer will end up in local waters. Students also leave fish-shaped info. “hangers” in mail boxes to inform residents about the purpose of the yellow fish on the grates. Yellow Fish Road: Students learn about their local water supply and how to protect it from hazardous wastes. Then they paint a yellow fish near the storm drain to remind residents that whatever goes down the storm sewer will end up in local waters. Students also leave fish-shaped info. “hangers” in mail boxes to inform residents about the purpose of the yellow fish on the grates. York Region Environmental Alliance: : Provides links to environmental action groups and opportunities throughout York Region. York Region Environmental Alliance: : Provides links to environmental action groups and opportunities throughout York Region.

Children Are Our Future!