A pair of Warren Collegiate students is making waves through environmentally focused ideas that they submitted for a watershed-focused contest.
The Caring for Our Watersheds contest asks students to submit a proposal that answers an important question: What can you do to improve your watershed? For the competition, students need to research their local watershed, identify an environmental concern and come up with a project proposal to implement a realistic solution.
“The Lake Winnipeg watershed faces many issues spanning the Prairies, but the result is seen close to home here in Manitoba,” said Kandra Forbes, Manitoba coordinator. “Having students understand how land and water are connected, and how everything flows to a common place, inspires them to take action in their backyards, schools and communities.”
This year’s competition drew entries from 634 students from 20 schools, who shared 387 proposals to positively impact their watershed. Entries came from far and wide, with the furthest proposal coming from Souris School.
On April 18, the Top 10 finalists — including two from Warren Collegiate — presented their proposals to a panel of judges at the Harry J Enns Wetland Discovery Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh.
The finalists vied the opportunity to win a $1,000 cash prize as well as a matching amount for their school. Nutrien, the contest sponsor, also provides an additional $10,000 to help all contestants implement their ideas.
Joslyn Tetlock, a Grade 11 student at Warren Collegiate, ranked sixth place and won $500 for her project called Sustainable Roots.
“My project is a school-yard self-watering garden. It promotes sustainability at my school by reducing carbon emission from produce transportation and reduces plastic waste from produce packaging,” said Joslyn, who is saving her prize money for future education.
“It was trial and error with project ideas. I went through a checklist of all the things we could fix at our school, and the garden bed was my best idea.”
Joslyn also shared why she chose to focus on caring for our watersheds.
“It’s important to me because the watershed provides fish and wildlife with a place to live,” she said. “And having a healthy watershed can also lessen the effects of climate damage.”
Mya Good, a Grade 10 student from Warren Collegiate, ranked seventh place and won $450 for her projected called Keeping the Class Rooms Environmentally Friendly, which focuses on providing a green stationary kit to students at her school.
“I think my project will be very beneficial to our community and environment so we can keep our community looking as it does for as long as we can. This idea came from watching how many school supplies are disposed of daily and how we can help reduce that waste,” Mya said.
“Looking forward, I will purchase trial supplies to make sure that my peers like them. Then looking onto the future, I hope I can purchase kits for all of the students in my school. It’s important to me because I love the community I have grown up in and I would love it if one day my kids are able to see and appreciate the same environment I get to.”
Mya said she had fun participating in the competition — and she’s glad she had the chance to get involved before the event wraps up after 17 years in Manitoba. This year’s event brings the competition to a close because funding for the program has concluded.
As the Manitoba coordinator, Forbes said it’s bittersweet that the funding is ending for this program.
“We are so grateful to have been able to spend tens of thousands of dollars over the years on making students’ ideas a reality,” she said.
“One of our finals judges won in 2012 and has now gone on to a career with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It serves as a reminder that by facilitating student action, we made lifelong memories that spurred some students on to make further impacts on their watersheds and communities.”
Forbes also expressed gratitude for all the students, teachers, judges and volunteers who have participated in the event over the years and made a difference in the Lake Winnipeg watershed.
Amanda Dion, teacher at Warren Collegiate, said that she’s incredibly proud of Mya and Joslyn for their achievements.
“They put a lot of effort into to their project that included not only coming up with the ideas but also asking endorsement from all stakeholders,” Dion said.
“They networked with teachers and community members to fully flesh out their implementation plan. It was wonderful to see them build their communication and problem-solving skills.”
The Top 10 also included representation from Lord Selkirk Comprehensive Secondary School. Gillian ranked third and received $800 for her projected called Dazzling Ditches, and Macie ranked fourth and received $700 for her projected called Green Attitude – Thinking Green Leads to Acting Green.
In addition, Fiona A. from Stonewall Collegiate ranked in the Top 50 for her project called Mentoring Girls for the Future of Hunting. Amelia W. and Paige F. from Carman Collegiate also earned recognition in the Top 50 for their project called Hand Dryer Renovation. From Warren Collegiate, Maria Riddell, Brody Lambert and Veronica Varnes were also in the Top 50.
