Stretching nearly 16 meters long, the Green Dragon is a celebration of creativity, nature, and imagination. Its woven mouth is shaped like dragon teeth and opens into a cozy sitting area inside the body, with two exits near the tail. In the years ahead, students will be able to relax in the shade of the dragon reading, imagining, and connecting with the natural world around them.
The dragon is part of a larger effort to turn the Cortes Island school grounds into a rich outdoor learning space. It overlooks the school gardens, the nearby faerie forest (also home to the "Unicorn Club"), and the fields one of which will be rewilded this summer into a wetland. In time, the school hopes to plant a small willow grove near the wetland and build a Klahoose medicinal plant garden. This will give students the chance to learn the ancient art of willow weaving and other traditional plant-based skills.
The Green Dragon will officially "launch" on Friday, June 20, 2025 with a fun and festive afternoon for the whole school. Led by local Cortes musician Dayna Davis, students will take part in a dragon chant parade, arts and crafts, and even enjoy "bardcore" music medieval-style versions of popular songs.
Each class will contribute to the launch in its own way. The senior class will build bee hotels to support local pollinators, intermediate students will paint willow flags with special land-based symbols, and primary students will decorate paper mâché dragon eggs.
Friday promises to be a magical day and a joyful way to celebrate Cortes Island School's deepening connection to the land.
For more information
425 Pinecrest Rd
Campbell River British Columbia
Canada V9W 3P2
www.sd72.bc.ca
