Eco-Accolades for Vanier Public School from Local Service Groups

November 3, 2026 (Brockville, ON) - For the past three years, students at Vanier Public School have been getting their hands dirty in the name of conservation. Now, their efforts have been recognized by the Brockville Rotary Club and the Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust (TIWLT) with an award for student-led environmental advocacy.

On Friday, Oct. 30, Vanier students and staff welcomed representatives from the organizations to their school for a special assembly and to receive the award. This is the first time the Rotary Club and TIWLT have recognized an elementary school for environmental conservation.

"Something very special is being done for the environment here at Vanier Public School," said Rotary Club member and past TIWLT vice-chair David Paul. "Quite frankly, we were blown away."

The school's Eco Warriors Club is at the heart of the work being recognized. To date, students have planted more than 100 native trees, shrubs, and seedlings throughout the school's property, including sycamore, red maple, dogwood, and sumac.

"A long time ago trees got cut down in the yard," said Grade 6 student Layla Frizzell. "It's so hot in the summer and there wasn't as much shade or places for animals to live so we decided to plant some trees. So far, the trees are growing healthy and it's making a bigger ecosystem for animals, plants, all kinds of things!"

The student-led initiative has also prompted lasting changes to the Upper Canada District School Board's planting list. At the request of students, several native species were added to the approved list to help support pollinators, protect local biodiversity, and combat invasive species across the region.

More recently, the Grade 1/2 class turned their attention to developing a pollinator garden within the now-flourishing schoolyard. Designed to provide food, shelter, and a nesting habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects, the "Garden with a Purpose" was planted during the 2025-26 school year by students using native pollen-rich plants.

"Seeing the students' hard work recognized is incredibly rewarding," said Grade 1/2 teacher Kimberly Nowlan. "They were involved every step of the way planning and creating the pollinator garden, and it's wonderful to see their efforts make a positive impact and be celebrated beyond the school community."

Vanier PS, the Rotary Club, and the TIWLT have enjoyed a successful partnership on several environmental projects at the school. This award highlights the importance of fostering environmental stewardship and demonstrates the positive impact students can have in protecting and enhancing the natural world around them.

"We rely on youth to influence the future and other generations - to have people get more conscious about our environment, trees, clean air, and clean water, and what the Eco Warriors have done here is just amazing," said Paul. "We're going to keep this award going and are hoping that what Vanier has done can be a model for other schools in the region."