EcoSchools Program
EcoSchools is a school greening program with a very broad scope. It addresses what is taught, how we run our schools and how we design and use our schools grounds.
Its central focus is supporting students and staff in caring for and protecting the environment where they spend so many hours every week.
The EcoSchools Certification program helps schools to set goals for improvement and allows formal recognition of the excellent environmental protection work that schools are doing. Schools are recognized for their achievements at the annual EcoSchools Certification Awards Ceremony, which highlights schools that have become bronze, silver or gold EcoSchools.
Toronto Public Health's 20/20 The Way to Clean Air campaign is a partner with the EcoSchools initiative. 20/20 expands EcoSchool's energy conservation program into the homes of students and their families through the 20/20 EcoSchools Planner.
More information about the EcoSchools Program is available from the Toronto District School Board.
20/20 The Way to Clean Air EcoSchool Program
Help students apply environmental learning at school and at home... Deliver the energy conservation curriculum through 20/20 The Way to Clean Air and help your students afnd their families fight air pollution and climate change.
Last year, thousands of students and their teachers helped tackle air pollution and climate change by taking action in their homes to reduce energy use.
Teachers and students can make a positive difference in helping to protect the health of our environment by participating in 20/20 - a campaign that clears the air by helping students and their families find ways to reduce home energy and vehicle use by 20%.
20/20 The Way to Clean Air EcoSchool program provides energy conservation lesson plans and action checklists that help deliver the energy conservation curriculum in a fun and engaging way.
STUDENTS and TEACHERS, click here to find everything you need for 20/20 at school.
More information is available from the Clean Air Partnership.
Water Education Team
The City of Toronto's Water Education Team (WET) offers free in-school presentations for Grade 2 and 8.
Each presentation includes the following topics:
- Why tap water is the best choice for your drinking water,
- How your tap water gets from the lake to you and back
- Small actions you can take to help keep Lake Ontario clean
Kids and teachers can learn more about water by reading the Story of Drinking Water.
If you are interested in booking one of our 30-40 minute presentations, please call us at 416-397-4545 or email us at askwater@toronto.ca.
Active and Safe Routes to Schools Program
For many Canadian parents, driving their children to school seems like the safest, most convenient option. Yet our dependency on car travel is linked to increased traffic accidents and greenhouse gas emissions leading to declining air quality and decreased physical activity.
Why not walk to school? - it's fun and it's free! There are many benefits associated with walking to school, including being physically active and environmentally responsible.
For more information about the Active and Safe Routes to Schools Program contact Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600.
Toronto and Region Conservation school programs
Toronto and Region Conservation offers environmental education for students through a variety of programs:
- Sustainable Schools
Sustainable Schools is a program which identifies and evaluates best practices and helps school boards take action to improve the energy and environmental performance of their new and recently-built schools.
- Investigating The Living City Spaces
Children can experience outdoor classrooms through day-long field trips and explore some of the most interesting natural spaces in the Toronto area. There are a variety of outdoor activities offered.
- Watershed On Wheels (WOW)
The Watershed on Wheels (WOW) program brings exciting outdoor conservation programs into the classroom. WOW brings all the necessary equipment to engage students in hands-on activities, with a focus on water and ecosystems.
- TRCA Education Field Centres
With three locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area - Albion Hills, Claremont and Lake St George - Toronto and Region Conservation's residential education centres offer two- to five-day programs that include accommodation, food and programming. These education centres offer the most comprehensive environmental programs available in a residential setting.
- Black Creek Pioneer Village
Step back in time at Black Creek Pioneer Village and learn about the past. The life and atmosphere of a 19th-century Victorian village awaits you, with 35 restored heritage buildings in a park-like setting.
- Kortright Centre for Conservation
The Kortright Centre for Conservation helps children learn about local plant and wildlife populations through observation and hands-on participation. In addition to school programs, various public programs teach people how to make green choices.
More information is also available from Toronto and Region Conservation.
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The Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs offer Toronto's children and youth new opportunities to discover the hidden wonders and meanings of gardens and parks. The Programs operate through the High Park Children's Garden, Waterfront Children's Garden and various city parks, ravines and trail systems.
Located at Allan Gardens, the Children's Teaching Garden offers hands-on instruction on the principles of life systems, gardening and the environment. 
The Franklin Children's Garden is a City initiative on the Toronto Islands. It is inspired by the popular books in the Franklin the Turtle series.
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The Toronto Environmental Volunteers (TEV) program, run by the City, enlists volunteers throughout the city, expanding their knowledge in solid waste management issues (recycling, composting, organic waste collection), household hazardous waste, energy and water efficiency, wastewater education and air quality.
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