June 20, 2019 Roots & Shoots in Action: Restoring the Grand River Watershed by Hanna Smit, JGI Canada In early April, some 40 eager students in grades 5 and 8 were taken on a tour of the Laurel Creek Nature Centre. The nature centre falls within southern Ontario’s ecologically fragile Carolinian zone and is part of the Grand River Watershed. Working together, staff with the Grand River Conservation Authority and JGI Canada showed the budding young naturalists the diverse plants and animals that depend on the watershed as well as the non-native species that are encroaching on the area. The youth were part of the Friends of the Watershed initiative, a Roots & Shoots project generously funded by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC), which supports habitat restoration in an area heavily affected by urban development, agriculture and climate change. In June, the students of St. John Catholic Elementary got down to work. Joined by a team from TMMC, everyone pitched in to plant trees, replenish the soil and wildflowers in the pollinator garden, and remove invasive buckthorn plants. The results of their efforts contribute to a healthy habitat that also serves as a protective buffer from nearby residential developments. By putting classroom learning into practice, students were able to see for themselves that they could each contribute to the conservation and ecological health of an important habitat. As one teacher said, “The ability to connect with nature and to see first-hand the impact of human activity and the impact of invasive species on other plants and animals was very powerful.” Grade 8 students, Eyobel and Hebron, survey their handiwork removing buckthorn. Students get up close with buckthorn, an impressively big invasive with roots that extend deep into the soil, crowding out native species. Betiel and Merkeb, in grades 8 and 5 respectively, take a break after working on the pollinator garden. Both said they were worried about climate change and the likely effects on habitat. Students learn about the impact of nearby urban development and diminished forest habitat on bird populations. Derek Kidnie, general manager at the nearby Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) facility, digs in. TMMC generously supported the Friends of the Watershed project and employees joined forces to help rehabilitate an important eco-region. Alex and Mark,two grade 5 students from St. John Catholic Elementary School, plant cedar trees to help reforest key areas in the Laurel Creek Nature Centre. Mirna, a grade 8 student, suits up to remove buckthorn and other invasive plants that threaten to diminish the nature centre’s biodiversity. A young participant wheels soil and woodchips to Laurel Creek’s pollinator garden to prepare the soil for native wildflowers that attract bees and butterflies. Photo credit: Hanna Smit Explore Related Content Champions and Partners, From The Field, Good News Stories, Youth Voices Learnings from the Uncovering Common Ground Final Forum June 20, 2019 Read more Good News Stories, News and Updates, Youth Voices My Journey of Reconciliation with the Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots A.P.E Fund Grant June 20, 2019 Read more News and Updates, Youth Voices Youth Voices & Perspectives on Protecting the World’s Biodiversity at COP15 June 20, 2019 Read more