Annual Report 2020
This was a year of unexpected challenges, and monumental victories. We love taking stock of where we’re at now through our annual report; it gives us a chance to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.
Wildsight news : Education
Teenagers, bugs and watersheds
Jessie Caza (née King) stands at the front of the class, mask on. A classroom of Grade 9 students squirm and fidget as the Wildsight educator recaps what was learned in the session before: What’s the ratio of water in the world to what we can actually use? – And what is a watershed? – … Continued
Winter wonder and the mi¢̕qaqas
Coats zipped up, brightly-coloured toques secured over ears. Mittens more or less on, snow pants bunched on tops of boots. These kids are ready to explore outdoors. Following ‘Jessie Frost’ (Wildsight educator Jessie Caza), the Kindergarten / Grade 1 students at Edgewater Elementary burst forth from the warm, fluorescent-lit hallway into a blue sky day, … Continued
Not all was lost in 2020
2020 was unlike any year in recent history—the global pandemic touched each and every one of us. The biodiversity and climate crises continue, challenging us on a daily basis and yet, out of these crises emerged stories of hope and love, of communities coming together, and a growing recognition of the importance of nature in … Continued
Wildsight turns the page on 20 years of education
The year was 2000. Dial-up internet, no smart phones. Y2K bug discredited. The prime minister was Jean Chrétien and BC’s premier was Ujjal Dosanjh. And in the East Kootenay, Elk Valley resident Lee-Anne Walker was exploring how to immerse students in environmental education. “We wanted to create an ecosystem awareness program for students to become … Continued
Empowering young leaders
Wildsight’s Graeme Lee Rowlands was one of the selected speakers in a recent TEDx series hosted by Selkirk College. Graeme is an educator, researcher, and organizer focused on the confluence of environmental, social, economic and political issues in the Columbia River Basin, including heading up Wildsight’s Columbia River Field School. Graeme also serves as coordinator of … Continued
A Seasonal Learning Journey
Adorned in seasonal bling and full of fall flare, I (Lady Autumn) awaited a class full of kindergarten students to arrive at their outdoor classroom. The wonder and excitement of these little learners grew as they approached where I sat perched on a rock in an orange tutu and leafy crown. Before the program had … Continued
TEDx Talk Sunday: Caring for the land and each other
Selkirk College is hosting a virtual TEDx series to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. The free talks include both local and global speakers who will discuss ideas and actions to face the climate crisis. “The speakers for our upcoming virtual events, both global and local, will be sharing their ideas and then … Continued
Finding Magic: Take Me Outside Day
Last weekend, in the wee hours of the morning (when my three-and-a-half year old likes to start her day) there was a feeling of wonder in the house. The street lights illuminated the soft, fluffy snowflakes falling outside and my daughter said to me, “Mommy, there’s magic falling from the sky.” And indeed, the light … Continued
Youth Climate Corps launches into action
Young adults are getting their hands dirty and their minds filled as they learn about and take action on local projects to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. The Youth Climate Corps, a Wildsight initiative, launched at the start of October with training, then jumped right into the work. In West Arm … Continued