Earth Week

Posted 4/23/2021

Earth Day, one of the world’s largest ecological volunteer events, coincides this year with National Volunteer Week in Canada, a combination that has inspired the Shawnigan community to step forward with a week-long series of exciting environmental initiatives both on campus and in the local community.

The theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week is “The Value of One, The Power of Many,” which highlights the importance of individual actions as well as collective strength. Accordingly, Shawnigan’s series of events leading up to Earth Day focussed on discussion, awareness and both individual and community action regarding environmental and service initiatives. Monday saw students compete in an inter-House recycling challenge, a timed event that involved sorting litter into the correct bins. Tuesday's Off-Grid Day encouraged Houses to take on different initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint that day, including going 24 hours without phones, showers and flushing toilets, switching off lights and opting for a vegetarian diet. Teachers also went analogue, taking classes outdoors and forgoing technology for the day. Wednesday's student-led Shawnigan Sustainability Forum allowed those with a passion for the environment to discuss and prioritise our needs, as a school, in becoming more sustainable. The week then culminated with our campus and community clean-up on Earth Day itself. Math teacher and event organizer Mark Swannell shares how harnessing the combination of Earth Day and National Volunteer Week has resulted in meaningful action around the School and in the local community: "Students and staff alike have worked together to clean up key areas, not only on campus but also in Shawnigan village and the surrounding area. Our team of Eco-Ninjas worked hard to locate the litter hotspots to make our Earth Day volunteer work the most effective. We are all fortunate here in Shawnigan Lake to enjoy some truly beautiful natural surroundings – getting out and about and cleaning up litter from local sidewalks, green spaces and waterways (and sorting returnables) is one way that Shawnigan students and staff members can actively show our appreciation for our wonderful local community.” Headmaster Larry Lamont is thrilled that every member of the Shawnigan Lake School community is stepping forward: “More than ever, as we have lived through the pandemic, this past year has reminded us of the importance of nature and the beauty of where we live. Our local community members have been hugely supportive as we have navigated the pandemic and adapted to the restrictions as a boarding school. Earth Day provides us with an opportunity to give back: beyond our campus, our boarding house cohorts and staff – with clear safety protocols in place – will be clearing up the areas around Thain Road, Mason’s Beach Park and surrounds, Old Mill Park and Shawnigan Village.”

*Photo and write up courtesy of Shawnigan Lake School