Latest News
Resources Section Launched!
After months of work and lots of feedback from focus group participants, the PEYA Online Community resources section has been launched! Visitors can read about relevant awards and scholarships and learn about green jobs. There is a toxins section with links to helpful websites, videos, and fact sheets. It even includes a section on anti-bottled water links and resources. There is a section on guides and resources, with many PEYA guides including how to start and environmental club, work with the media, make effective presentations, start a recycling program, and more. There are also guides and tools that other organizations have created, including a zero footprint calculator, and guides to scholarships, successful meetings, and sustainable living. The environmental media page features environmental books, movies, and music. The PEYA picks page features books chosen by PEYA members. Finally, the links page lists relevant local organizations, and links to how visitors can take action to save the environment.
Speaker Series with Megan
Our fourth PEYA Online Speaker Series event was held on Tuesday, June 3rd. We spoke with Megan Paavola, who joined us live from Winnipeg, Manitoba. After participating in the Polar Bear Science Leadership Camp, Megan co-organized a two day Polar Bear Awareness event at the Winnipeg Children's Museum, where she delivered presentations to school and community groups, emphasizing how local actions can have global consequences. To watch a recording of our session with Megan, or to view resources she provided, please visit the Speaker Series page. Stay tuned for our next speaker in mid July.
New Executive Council Elected
On Friday May 30th, PEYA celebrated the final meeting of the school year. PEYA members gathered at the Meadowvale Community Centre to share memories from the year, recognize the involvement of execs and PEYA members, and elect a new executive council. The Annual General Meeting wraps up this year’s monthly PEYA meetings, and monthly meetings will resume from September to May during the next school year. See you in September!
Tell Your School Board!
On Tuesday, May 27th, PEYA members gathered at the Peel District and Dufferin-Catholic District School Boards to make presentations outlining their recommendations to the school boards. The comments were well received by the Peel Board trustees, who noted the environmental committee that had been started by trustee Suzanne Nurse would be reviewing the recommendations. At the Dufferin-Catholic District Board meeting, the trustees listened attentively, but did not discuss any next steps. To see the recommendations outlined by PEYA members during the presentation, please click here.
Region-Wide Mayday Planting
On Thursday May 1st, 465 students across the Peel Region got down and dirty to improve their local environment. 2000 trees, shrubs, and aquatic plants were planted by PEYA members and community partners, who provided the tools and plant material necessary to put on this event. On this day, other activities included litter clean ups, nature walks, pathway mulching, and a seminar on water quality monitoring. To read more and to view pictures from the event, please visit the Mayday Planting page.
The PEYA Discussion Forum
The PEYA discussion forum is active and ready to be used. Do you have ideas that you want to share with fellow Peel students or teachers? This is THE place to share them. Don't be shy, click here to check it out. You can find out what the latest is on the environment is Peel, or talk to PEYA members about event ideas, support needed, or thoughts for the future. Teachers can connect with each other using the Teacher Talk thread. To post on the forum, sign in as a PEYA member. If you are not already a member, signing up takes two minutes! To see what the discussion is all about, please click here.
