Archive

About
Webzine

About
Project

Dear
Editor

"I should like to see every school in the country adopt some natural area as its own special project, continuing year after year in perpetuity. Preferably it should be a creek or some section of a creek or a small stream, but it could almost equally be a section of a river bank or lake shore or sea shore, a pond, pothole or marsh... I see a program of this sort as having a double function: that of developing in children the fullest awareness of a given area, at the same time providing a substantial measure of care and protection for the place itself."

(Roderick Haig-Brown. Bright Waters, Bright Fish. 1976.)
To the left: Roderick Haig-Brown in his study
Photograph © Mary Randlett

Campbellton Elementary, in the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek watershed, is just one of many schools throughout North America that has taken on just such a responsibility to its neighbouring stream. Furthermore, as with all schools, new students continually circulate through the school system, bringing with them new enthusiasm to be focussed on their adopted waterway. Those that graduate and leave, doubtlessly take with them a heightened sense of appreciation for both the environment, and for everyone that helps conserve it. I feel that the real life benefits of such attitudes are far beyond what any classroom lessons can offer.

Top of page.