We took the opportunity to view and read the numerous blogs created as part of the challenge, here in Ontario and across Canada. Below you can find some selected quotes on our reflections of our experience throughout the Challenge and in looking at what others created as well... I have had an incredible opportunity to learn things about our community as well as many others across Canada. ~Adrian Lloyd, Gr. 8 However I did enjoy investigating the nearby environment and seeing what it looked like. -Colin W.R. Hunter, Gr. 8 Whether it was from this challenge or another I always seemed to learn something new about water. ~Aiden W. Ford, Gr. 8 Seeing the other blogs has made me more aware about my impact on the local environment. ~Abbey Hogan, Gr. 7 I think in the future we should start cleaning up our watersheds and taking care of them. ~Niklas Zeiser, Gr. 7 From what I have done this year, I have learned that water is a very precious resource that we should protect and treasure.~Lydia Chin-Yee, Gr. 7 When reading the other blogs I found new knowledge about their local watersheds like problems and advantages. ~Benjamin D,P. Macor, Gr. 7 There was water. Dying water that we need to protect, but we are failing to do so, and as such, the world is doomed. ~Megan Nattress, Gr. 7 Water is important and we need to take care of it because it’s the only water we have. ~Emily Martin, Gr. 7 Water is a place that you can go to to relax and enjoy yourself, but we also need to respect water, if we do this, it will treat us well in return. ~Brayden W, Gr. 7 I have learned a lot about how to protect our watersheds, some of which really need the help. I plan on doing more in the future for this cause. ~Brennen Cooke, Gr. 8 I learned from these blogs about different watersheds, how they affect humanity and how humanity affects it. ~Simon Dawes, Gr. 7 The only behavior change I really had was that I am more aware of the consequences that my actions have on the world and that I should treat the earth better. ~Nathan Ferguson, Gr. 8 One particular blog had a lot of amazing photos on it of wildlife in their water sources (such as bears, birds etc.) The common theme was obviously water and I learned about other places (such as islands in BC) that are having issues with their water purification. ~Aeryn Lediard, Gr. 8 I’m working on becoming more aware of how much water I’m using, how that water is treated, and much more. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future. ~Corinna Salmon, Gr. 8 People will never know something's worth until they cannot have it anymore. ~Connor McConaghie-Butt, Gr. 8 People are more likely to believe something if they see it, not read stats. ~Tyler Hodgson, Gr. 7 From the start of the school year to know, I have learned a lot about water, as this is the biggest project on water I have done in school since I started Kindergarten. ~Daniel Ho, Gr. 7
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On Wednesday a group from our class gave the students in Grades 5 through 8 a brief presentation about the need to be aware of what happens to our garbage when we throw it away, and how much of it ends up in waterways, costing us in countless ways. We referenced the famed garbage "island" floating through the Pacific Ocean while also showing pictures of water treatment plants clogged with all sorts of different garbage and sludge. We concluded the presentation by speaking about our local watershed and letting the students know the importance our little area has to an entire ecosystem. Being part of and near the Credit Valley Conservation Watershed, and more specifically, the Silver Creek sub-Watershed, means we have a unique opportunity to enjoy nature, but that enjoyment does come with responsibility. The students and their teachers were then encouraged to head on out to our local "Hungry Hollow" to do a little cleaning before the spring thaw raises the levels of the creek and picks up the garbage strewn throughout our little area. Students headed out on a bright sunny day, taking the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but also look at it with purpose. On first glance it would be easy not to see the garbage, but upon closer inspection, in just the area near the bridge that travels over the creek and valley, we managed six full garbage bags. It was both good and bad - good that we managed to get so much garbage out of entering our waterway, but sad that there was so much picked up in such a small area in a very little amount of time! The task is daunting, but we do believe every small action has its purpose, and is therefore worth it!
Challenge #2 had us out exploring, testing, observing and interviewing. It was an excellent way for us to get to know our local watershed and the many things that are around us as a direct result of the water flowing through our community. Georgetown and Acton have a long history of shaping and being shaped by the water - from the mills of both towns to the "man-made" Fairy Lake to the conservation areas that dot the area for all to enjoy the outdoors. The exploring was the most popular of the activities and here are three we found to be interesting and having a lasting impact on our community. Limehouse Conservation Area Address: 12169 Fifth Line, Limehouse L0P 1H0 Located on the Niagara Escarpment, and owned by Credit Valley Conservation, the Limehouse Conservation Area is a site of Regional Cultural Heritage. Remains of the 19th Century Kilns are found in the area, and are currently being restored. Found in the Conservation Area is a provincially threatened species of fish, as well as the kilns and limestone, hence the name ‘Limehouse’. The Limehouse Conservation Area also contains water that is within the Silver Creek Watershed. The Limehouse Conservation Area holds a historical story, starting in the 1800’s. The trail takes hikers past remnants of the Lime Industry. You can see the huge kilns, and an old powerhouse. These cultural structures represent Ontario’s past association with the Niagara Escarpment resources. Barber Paper Mill Address: The Barber Paper Mill, 99 River Drive, Halton Hills, Georgetown, ON. Established in 1854 At one point in time, the Barber Paper Mill was the largest industry in the county of Halton. The industry contributes to the history of paper milling, and hydroelectric power in Canada. For around 10 years, the mill originally made ‘rag paper’, from cotton and linen rags, until 1869, when they began to make paper with wood pulp. The Barber Paper Mill provided hundred of jobs for those within the community, and surrounding it. The river was used to produce a great deal of paper, supplying nearly the entire country until 1948. Barber Dynamo Built in 1888, the Barber Dynamo was the first electrical generating plant to supply an industrial plant in North America. From the Dynamo, two wires carried the power up to the Barber Mill, which was located 3 km up the river. The Barber Dynamo was a great historical contribution to North America. The Dynamo was put in place to increase the Mill’s production, because the Dynamo was an extra source of power. We explored a few other sites as well. Here's a video specifically about Georgetown. We also spent some time investigating the rising and falling levels of water as well as the native and invasive species of the Credit Valley Conservation watershed. The general consensus is that the water levels in this area are dependent on the weather, with the most significant changes happening in spring and fall. As a result of the relatively mild winter, we conclude that the water levels in the nearby creeks and rivers are actually higher than they have been historically at this time, however they will be at their highest in a few weeks time. Numerous fish, fauna and fowl populate and depend on the waters and they are surrounded by a fairly intact ecosystem. Some species that are of a concern are the giant hogweed, the emerald ash borer beetle, and the round goby. Here is just a little of what we found along with some evidence of the rising and lower levels of our waterways:
We are a 7/8 gifted class at Ethel Gardiner Public School in Georgetown Ontario. We are a very competitive group of students, who love to be involved in cool projects and contests like this. We enjoy putting our minds to the test, and thinking of new and innovative ideas. Our classroom is full of laughter, and jokes and once you enter the classroom, you won’t have silence until you leave because we never stop talking. We're sometimes surprised we ever get any work done. When we are given a task, we usually debate about it for a while, and then we get to work. One of our many class quotes that have been posted in the room is, “You never stop writing”. That’s what our teacher tells us to inspire us to keep working and to think of new ideas. This contest is giving us a great opportunity to share our thoughts, and make a change! Being residents of Georgetown and Acton, we live in the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. As such, we are a part of the Credit Valley Conservation Watershed, and the Silver Creek Subwatershed. Water is something that everyone of us uses daily. We use water for daily needs, such as drinking, showering, brushing our teeth etc. and even for fun activities such as swimming! There are many jobs surrounding water, and almost every other job has some sort of connection to it. One of the concerns some members of our community have about our water, is the chloride levels in our creeks. The amount of salt has increased over the years from the usage of salt on the roads in the winter. It is un-removable at this point, and is harming smaller species that connect to the big food chain. If this problem continues to occur, it could possibly cause major damage to our food cycle and our water. |
Mr. Dinner's ClassWe are a Grade 7/8 Gifted class in Georgetown, ON. ArchivesCategories |