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High school gets green makeover

September 19, 2012  By Canadian Garden Centre & Nursery


Sept. 19, 2012, Guelph, ON — The Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter is helping a local high school go big and go green, with the School Greening Project.

The program, implemented for the new school year, aims to educate
students on the importance of green spaces and the positive
environmental impact a few changes can make.
 
The Waterloo
Chapter School Greening Project is designed to create an outdoor space
that is conducive to learning and reflection, including an outdoor
classroom and quiet seating areas. The design concept and the
presentation to the Waterloo Chapter was solely an initiative of the
students of the St. James Catholic High School “Green Team.”

 The
School Greening Project is an annual activity; however, this year is
unique because of the winning school's student involvement. In previous
years, the projects have mainly been led by teachers and other faculty.
 
This year’s project incorporates the “Green For Life” philosophy that is fundamental to the members of Landscape Ontario:

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  • Increased biodiversity through the use of native plantings where possible
  • A rainwater harvesting system that makes the site self-sustaining for water use
  • Permeable paving and gravel paths to enhance infiltration of water into the water table and reduce run-off
  • Use of recycled materials (e.g. aggregate)
  • Access to key parts of the site for those with mobility challenges.

The
school community will complete the plantings and site furnishings and
is committed to a long-term maintenance program in consultation with
chapter members — a true team effort.

The official ribbon cutting
ceremony will take place on Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic
High School, 57 Victoria Road North in Guelph, Ont.
 
 More than 40 companies have contributed to the $60,000 project so far.


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