Teaching Environmental Sustainability » English

Teaching Environmental Sustainability » English

CTF and CSQ Celebrate EARTH DAY with Launch of Environmental Learning Blog

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(CTF News Service – Ottawa) On April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), as part of Green Street sponsored by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, will launch an environmental learning blog for educators. Co-authored by teachers across Canada, the blog will give tangible, ready-to-use ideas for teachers to develop student environmental sustainability awareness.

“We know that having a sustainable future relies on teaching today’s youth about ecological processes and our interactions with the environment”, says CTF President Winston Carter. “This blog is a forum for teachers to share and to find ideas on best practices in environmental learning. We want young people to become environmental stewards and we want such action to be grounded in sound knowledge”, stresses Réjean Parent, CSQ President.

CTF and CSQ support this approach through their hosting of Green Street, an evolving nation-wide community of practice committed to excellence in environmental learning and sustainability. The initiative links schools in Canada to reputable environmental education organizations in every province who deliver credible, accessible and affordable programs that are curriculum-linked and promote an enduring dedication to environmental stewardship.

To date, over 14,000 classrooms across the country have participated in at least one of some 50 Green Street programs offered by 21 leading environmental organizations.

CTF and CSQ encourage teachers to “blog-on” at blog.green-street.ca and discover resources and programs that are fun, engaging and effective in fostering appreciation for the many values and perspectives surrounding environmental issues and solutions.

Green Street is funded by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, a private family foundation based in Montréal, that funds national initiatives which promote civic engagement and community resilience, including projects in arts and environmental education.

CTF speaks for 220,000 teachers in Canada as their national voice on education and related social issues. CTF membership includes organizations in every province and territory in Canada. CTF is also a member of the international body of teachers, Education International.

The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) represents 175,000 members, including more than 120,000 in the public sector, of whom the vast majority work in education. CSQ is also present in the fields of social services, daycare, recreation, culture and communications. In addition, CSQ is a member of Education International.