It’s good to be green

Windsor Park

Members of École Howden’s community hope their collective efforts take root to benefit generations to come.

Folks at the Windsor Park-based school, which is located at 150 Howden Rd., have been busy working on improving the schoolyard by adding trees and a pollinator garden with native plants.

The project — aided by a Manitoba Hydro Forest Enhancement Program grant and the hands-on support of Above and Below Tree Care — is intended to create learning opportunities, biodiversity, shade, and as well as enhance the space’s climate resilience, said Miriam Rudolph, chair of the school’s parent advisory council’s playground renewal committee, and a key organizer of the initiative.

On June 19, a working group planted 15 trees at the school and held a small tree planting ceremony with a kindergarten and Grade 2/3 class, whose roles included helping with the planting and watering tasks. The staff involved with the planting process were kindergarten teacher Kim Eisner, Grade 2/3 teacher Alex Subhan, and teacher-librarian Kathleen Witkovicz. Kindergarten and Grade 2/3 classes at Howden have trees as part of their curriculum.

“I have a passion for adding to the tree canopy in the neighbourhood,” said Rudolph, who is also involved with Winakwa Community Centre and the Windsor Park Residents’ association. “At École Howden, we’ve been trying to figure out ways to make the schoolyard more beautiful and a creative learning space.”

“Also — in the summer, it can get so hot and there’s nowhere for the kids to cool off,” she added.

Rudolph noted she’s grateful for the Manitoba Hydro funding, which covered the cost of 12 of the recently planted trees. The school’s PAC funded the other three. She also pointed out Above and Below Tree Care’s package includes a two-year maintenance, watering, and care program.

“As a mom with a small child, I’ve spent so much time at playgrounds, and it can get so hot at this time of year. I’m passionate about helping make the community a better place in the face of climate change. Thinking about the future, I’ll have a child at the school for the next few years, and the whole community will benefit from the trees as they grow,” Rudolph said.

Subhan emphasized the educational, environmental, and practical benefits of the ongoing initiative for the students.

“Our Grade 3 science students have been learning about planting and the life cycles of plants … so this goes hand-in-hand with the curriculum,” Subhan said.

“This has also helped our kids think about the need for shade, and to have places to cool off, and somewhere to read.”

Email ehpacouncil@gmail.com for more information.