York Region celebrates Earth Week

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York joins the world in celebrating Earth Week from April 22 to 28, 2006. As part of the celebrations, students from Stuart Scott Public School and St. John Chrysostom Catholic Elementary School will be invited to experience interactive activities focused on this year's theme for the 2006 York Region campaign, "The ABCs of Earth Week…Actions Bring Change."

 

When:   Wednesday, April 26, 2006
  9:30 to 12:00 pm

 

Where:  York Region Administrative Centre, Great Hall
              17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

 

Who:     Bill Fisch, York Regional Chair and CEO
 Dr. Karim Kurji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Director, Public Health Programs, York Region
 Richard Vanhuizan, Clean Air Champion
Students from Stuart Scott Public School and St. John Chrysostom Catholic Elementary School

 

Student Activity Schedule:

 

9:30 am                       Arrival of students

 

9:30-9:55 am Council Chamber:
- Welcome by Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch
- Presentation by Clean Air Champion Richard Vanhuizan 
  
10:00 – 11:30 am Students will be divided into groups and will rotate through the following Earth Week activities:
Station 1 - Recycling Station
Students participate in an interactive game where they race to separate recycling items

 

Station 2 - The Wheels on the Bus
Students tour a York Region Transit bus and learn about actions to improve air quality such as anti-idling, taking public transit and reducing emissions of pollutants through active participation.

 

Station 3 - Nature's Classroom
Learn about the history of York Region forests including species of trees and animals.

 

Station 4 - Sports Clinic with the Clean Air Champion

 

12:00 pm   Departure. All students will be given a seedling to plant and a loot bag. 

Earth Week organizers are delighted to welcome Clean Air Champion and Beach Volleyball champion Richard Vanhuizan to speak to the students about the importance of environmental health. Clean Air Champions is a national non-profit program that works with over 100 National, Olympic and Paralympic athletes from across Canada. Each of these Champions brings with them a passion for physical health and well-being and the health of our environment. Richard Vanhuizan is currently a Team Canada player and Beijing 2008 Olympic hopeful.

 

In addition, on display in the Great Hall will be Earth Week exhibits about the many environmental programs, studies and initiatives that the Region is currently undertaking to create a healthier environment.

 

York Region Earth Week activities have been organized by various York Region departments and community partners: York Region Health Services, Community Services and Housing, Corporate Services (Facilities Services), Transportation and Works (Solid Waste Management Branch and Natural Heritage and Forestry Services), Water for Tomorrow, York Region Transit, Planning and Economic Development Services and Windfall Ecology Centre. 

 

For more information on this or other health-related issues, contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit www.york.ca.

 

- 30 –

 

Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, York Region Health Services
905-830-4444 Ext. 4016 or after-hours pager (905) 830-3302
Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca