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Province Helping to Support Students to Create a More Sustainable Environment for the Future: Allan

The province is supporting many environmental initiatives in schools to help teach students how to protect their environment now and into the future with more than $40,000 in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) grants for 22 projects promoting sustainability and environmental awareness, Education Minister Nancy Allan announced today.

“Since its inception in 2006, the ESD grant program has been a rewarding and successful initiative,” said Allan.  “Everyone has a role to play as we strive to make Manitoba one of the most sustainable places to live in North America.  Our goal is to give young people the tools they need to make informed choices for themselves and our environment.”

Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of today’s population without compromising the needs of future generations, the minister said, adding sustainability focuses on ensuring well-being for all, by modifying the way we live so that we are in harmony with Earth’s natural systems.

She also said sustainable development takes into account the protection of human health, conservation of the environment and efficient use of resources.  A sustainable economy provides equality of resources without compromising the ecological services of the planet and is characterized by responsible consumption.

Manitoba’s Education for Sustainable Development grants support schools in their efforts to help students acquire the knowledge, skills, values and life practices that contribute to a sustainable future.  ESD projects provide students with engaging, hands-on opportunities that are interdisciplinary.

Schools receiving a grant this year proposed projects such as garden composting, sustainable water management and active transportation.  The grant of $2,000 is used to cover expenses such as professional development, and teaching and learning resources.  To date, the province has provided grants to 113 schools throughout the province.

“I want our province to be a place where forward-thinking solutions thrive and I am proud to see our children lead the way in finding new ways to protect the environment,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh.  “Aborgate School’s stormwater management system will provide water for a community garden while at the same time helping to reduce nutrient loading into Lake Winnipeg.  Examples like this prove that, by working together, we will find new ways to preserve our great natural resources for the future."