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Sustainability at Â鶹ÊÓƵ involves taking a systems-based approach to reducing our District’s overall environmental impact. This encompasses leadership, operations, and education, that consistently reinforces integrity and responsibility towards the planet. Our District provides leadership and support for environmental initiatives across all sustainability themes.

Achieving greater sustainability as a School District requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to transforming education and learning environments. 

This includes a focus on land and place-based learning, climate action education, and stewardship and action-based learning. To ensure our progress aligns with our goals, we measure and monitor sustainability using the best available tools to quantify indicators such as energy use and carbon emissions. 

Our commitment to data-driven assessments ensures the ongoing accountability of our educational institution, as we continuously seek ways to reduce our environmental footprint. 

In summary, sustainability at Â鶹ÊÓƵ means not only providing learning opportunities that prepare students for an uncertain future but also modeling a more sustainable relationship with the environment through our leadership and infrastructure.

Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Initiatives have been an integral part of Â鶹ÊÓƵ for many years. From ECO teams, to related credit courses and senior leadership programs, the expansion of our Indigenous Education Department, and technological upgrades and efficiencies, Â鶹ÊÓƵ has been a champion of environmental, sustainability, and outdoor learning for decades. 

Though not an exhaustive list, some specific attempts at a reduced carbon footprint have included culture-change campaigns, school gardens, composting infrastructure, and the installation of EV charging stations at District schools. 

Most recently, the board has formed the qathet District Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee with the intent purpose to help further their goals relating to this work. This committee was established in the fall of 2023 to make recommendations and support the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Board of Trustees in achieving their goals relating to their Strategic Priority of Cultivating Integrity/Responsibility and has recently created an Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Action Plan (ESSAP). 

The advent of this Plan enables a coordinated approach to sustainability that will allow our District to move beyond individual teacher champions or siloed operational upgrades, to a broad systems-based approach.