This year’s Ontario Envirothon theme was CLIMATE CHANGE
University of Toronto Schools Takes First Place in Ontario’s Largest Environmental Competition
WATERLOO, ON, May 31, 2018 /CNW/ – More than 120 high school students from across the province took part in the 2018 Ontario Envirothon, an intensive multi-day competition held at the University of Waterloo.
U of T Schools – First Place Winners of Ontario Envirothon received a total of $2,500 in prize monies: $1,000 for the school plus $300 per student.
Emad Ali, of Maple Leaves Forever, addresses the contestants
This year, University of Toronto Schools won first place out of 21 teams, becoming the Ontario Envirothon Provincial Champions. Competitors were tested on their knowledge of aquatics, soils, forestry and wildlife. Markville Secondary School and Waterloo Collegiate placed second and third respectively. The top three winning teams, and their schools, were awarded cash prizes from Ontario Envirothon’s generous sponsor, Maple Leaves Forever.
“Maple Leaves Forever has been a proud sponsor of Ontario Envirothon for the past three years,” says Ken Jewett, Founder of Maple Leaves Forever. “The students that take part in these events are true champions of sustainability.”
2nd place winners – Markville Secondary School received $1,250 in prizes: $500 for the school plus $150 for each student
3rd place winners – Waterloo Collegiate received $750 in prizes: $250 for the school plus $100 for each student
The Ontario Envirothon program is coordinated by Forests Ontario, a charitable non-profit organization. “This event brings together some of the best and brightest students in the province,” explains Rob Keen, CEO at Forests Ontario. “The lessons these students learn go far beyond the classroom. This year’s theme, climate change, is timely. The problems these students are trying to solve reflect issues many municipalities and industries are facing today.”
The Ontario Envirothon is a province-wide competition that celebrates students’ passion for the outdoors and challenges them to work as a cohesive team. The winning teams from Canada’s provincial championships will go on to compete with their American counterparts at the 2018 North American Envirothon Finals, to be held at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho from July 22 – 28, 2018.
This year, more than 400 trees were planted on the University of Waterloo campus for the Ontario Envirothon Legacy Project. The Legacy Project provides a chance for the students to give back to the competition’s host, as well as to the environment. “We love events like this on campus,” said Jean Andrey, Dean of the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment. “Not only is this a great experiential learning opportunity for a new generation of environmentally conscious students, but it will also help reinforce the creek’s banks, keep the water cooler in the summer and provide increased tree cover on campus.” .
Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice of our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario’s forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests Ontario.
SOURCE Forests Ontario
For further information: For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact: Azra Fazal, Communications Officer, Forests Ontario, 416.646.1193 ext. 257, afazal@forestsontario.ca