UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Vanier PS Students Lead the Way in Creating a Climate-Resilient Learning Landscape

Students at Vanier Public School are proving that meaningful environmental change can start right in the schoolyard. Through their leadership, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability, the school community is transforming the property into a thriving outdoor learning space that supports biodiversity and climate resilience.

Over the past two years, students have not only helped plant more than 100 trees, shrubs, and seedlings representing 23 native species, but they also played a key role in revising the Upper Canada District School Board's (UCDSB) approved planting strengthening biodiversity efforts across UCDSB schools.

On October 15, four students from Vanier's Early Act Eco-Warriors Club proudly shared the school's journey at a joint Rotary Club meeting, explaining how their class project has evolved.

"We've learned that even small actions can create big change," says Eco-Warrior Georgia Sherstone in the presentation. "By planting native trees and caring for our schoolyard, we're helping the environment and creating a better place to learn."

The project began in Tracey Notman's Grade 4/5 class as a Real-World Learning initiative to add shade trees to the schoolyard. Through their research, students discovered that the board's planting list included few native species.

With guidance from UCDSB staff, they successfully proposed updates that now allow for a greater variety of native and Carolinian trees.

"This project has become so much more than adding shade to the schoolyard," says Notman. "Our students are learning that they already have the power to create positive change. They've developed leadership skills, environmental awareness, and a deep respect for the land."

Since then, the Vanier community has come together in the following remarkable ways:

• Spring 2024: Two Autumn Maple trees were planted by UCDSB and Green Things Nursery.
• May 2025: Students planted 44 native seedlings in new No Mow Zones at the back of the property to promote natural regeneration.
• June 2025: Vanier students and Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust (TIWLT) staff planted eight Sycamore trees along the schoolyard perimeter.
• Summer 2025: Green Things Nursery, supported by a $20,000 UCDSB investment, planted and maintained 35 young trees.
• October 2025: Kindergarten students, guided by TIWLT staff, planted 20 native shrubs and seedlings, which they will nurture through to their Grade 6 graduation in 2031.

Together, these plantings include Sycamore, White Birch, Tulip, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Grey Birch, White Pine, Sumac, and others.

The Rotary Club of Brockville raised $6,500 and pledged an additional $3,000 toward the project. Meanwhile, TIWLT, Green Things Nursery, and numerous community volunteers have contributed expertise, materials, and hours of hands-on support to bring the students' vision to life.

"Our partnership with the Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust has, and continues to be, instrumental in guiding our project through tree species selection, biodiversity, planting, and aftercare," says Notman. "They have devoted countless hours as advisors and have been active in most of our planting initiatives."

The next phase of Vanier's initiative will focus on developing an outdoor sensory learning space designed to support student well-being through nature-based mindfulness and regulation strategies.