WELCOME TO THE ECO-SPEER-IT Page!
What kind of nature do YOU see in your backyard?
Don't say, "EWWW" - say OOOHHH!
A video of BEE LARVA! Fantastic find, Mrs. Torano!
Here are some COOL sightings by Emily and Parker - right in their backyard!
Red headed, or is it a Downy Woodpecker? (So difficult to tell the difference!)
Parker tried to pet the rabbit- nope! He/She is TOO QUICK- even for Parker!
This must be a second brood of robins!
LOOK! a pair of mallards joining Em &Parker for a swim!
How is the kitchen scraps garden coming along? What? Greens for supper every night! FANTASTIC!!!
A daring rescue of a cardinal trapped in a gazebo.
COOL OR WHAT? Ms. Johnson and her husband made this mini potting shed and garden bed from RECYCLED (reclaimed) WOOD from a play structure! Now THAT is a fine example of using one of the 8 Rs!
Well done, Ms. Johnson!!!
Mrs. Bold says: I am SO excited about the milkweed. We also have 5 plants growing back in my garden. We will be babysitting lots of Monarch caterpillars this summer. I even bought them a bigger tomato cage. LOL
ECO ALERT! See how one Speers family veggie garden- from KITCHEN SCRAPS is going!!
Look! Parker made this snake sighting while the family picked up garbage around the creek! It could be a common Northern Watersnake.. or the endangered Eastern Fox Snake! Both are excellent swimmers!
Mrs. Bold saw two Mourning Doves in her tree!
Look what Iyla and Mason FOUND!
• Adult Cardinal
• Baby Cardinals
• A cardinal egg that fell out of its nest
• Green Caterpillar- Cabbage White
• Green with black head Caterpillar- Wild Indigo Duskywing
• Hairy black brown caterpillar - we do not know the name
HAPPY BEE DAY! May 20, 2020!
No mow May- be careful of the bees! Plant pollinator-friendly plants, no spraying for weeds! Bee good to bees!
This is a "Bee Hotel" or as I like to call it, a "Bee&Bee"!!!! Emily & Parker are just about to put it out for the bees on WORLD BEE DAY!
What a wonderful way to celebrate this day!
Are you and your family doing some gardening this Spring?
Get your parents to take a look a this!
Add native plants to your garden this year! David Suzuki Foundation and Loblaws have teamed up to WWF-Canada is excited to announce that we have partnered with Loblaw to source native plants for 35 of their Garden Centres across southern Ontario.
This year, we know that buying plants for your garden are a bit of a challenge: Loblaw Garden Centres are still open and are employing social distancing measures. If you’re heading to one of the select Loblaw Garden Centres in mid-May, consider planning ahead and adding native plants to your weekly shopping trip.
The thirty-five participating Loblaw stores are carrying a variety of locally grown and ethically sourced native plants, including shade and sun-loving species as well as grasses and sedges, all of which grow easily in local conditions. They’ve been carefully selected by Ontario native plant growers and will make excellent habitat for pollinators and other wildlife in your garden. Their beautiful leaves and flowers also give us some optimism as we continue to stay home.
All plants carry a special In the Zone tag, which lets customers know that they are choosing the best plants to help local wildlife thrive — plants that form the foundation of healthy ecosystems in southern Ontario.
A Speers family gardening! Take a look at this!
Here are Emily and Parker next to the planters they made with their dad!
Here they are tending to the veggie garden
This is the pineapple plant they started from the "crown" (top part) of a pineapple they ate! Reduce waste- turn it into FOOD!
SO COOL!!!!
Sophia's Dad is helping Canadians combat COVID 19! Sahiba wins an Eco-art award by sharing some awesome tips on how to be Eco Friendly during the Pandemic. Check them out in the weekly newsletter below!
How does the Pandemic bring out kindness towards each other and to the Earth?
Mr. Finlay delivering groceries by bike to elderly neighbours!
Daniel is Learning about Oakville's native species!
Addi & Mia's Earth Day poster- learning about David Suzuki and becoming environmentalists themselves!
Jonathan is picking up garbage on Earth Day!
BOOKS
THE WATER WALKER
Written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson. Second Story Press, 2017. 36 pages, $16.95.
REVIEWED BY KAREN ANDREW
The Water Walker is a picture book that tells the true-life story of Nokomis Josephine Mandamin, an Ojibwa grandmother. With its colourful illustrations, the reader is drawn into the tale of Nokomis and her quest to protect Nibi (water) for future generations. Robertson details where Nokomis’ passion for protecting Nibi originates and describes the walking campaign she began with the Mother Earth Water Walkers to bring awareness to the water crisis of the Earth. The book further captivates the reader by including Ojibwe words throughout along with a picture glossary at the end with pronunciations and meanings. Adding to the uniqueness of the book and the powerful story is a more detailed biography of Nokomis as well as more information about the Mother Earth Water Walkers.
With its rich story and powerful message, many relevant curriculum connections can be made. The book is suitable as a read-aloud for younger grades (K-2) and facilitates conversations that ask students: “What is something you love? What would you do to protect it?” Connections can be personal or they can encourage thoughtful discussion about water preservation, tying into different science curriculums such as the Grade 2 unit related to air and water.
In addition to being suitable for younger grades, it can also be used in upper primary, lower junior or even the classrooms of older students depending on the curriculum being covered at the time. One of the most important messages in the book ties perfectly into a topic that is being discussed in many classrooms at all grade levels – what can you do to make a difference in the world? Perfectly linked to the design thinking and inquiry process, this book can be used as a starting point to get students working on inquiry projects related to water preservation, protecting the environment or even a rich discussion about the 7th Generation Principle.
Although the story is a clear and easy read, its message is anything but. The story of Nokomis will resonate with many students and the rich question it ends with – “What are you going to do about it?” – can spark a world of possibilities to motivate students to make a difference in their own lives.
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Marie's pledge for Earth Day!
A note from the CITY of Burlington!
Take Action Burlington blog at www.TakeActionBurlington.ca titled “Flush only the 3 P’s ...Poop, Pee and Toilet Paper.” While this is an ongoing problem, COVID-19 has worsened this issue as residents increasingly use wipes, paper towels or other material to clean their home and then incorrectly dispose of the material in the toilet. Even though wipes are sold as “flushable” they are NOT.
Please promote the blog post using #TakeActionBurlington and/or #LiveGreenBurl. Alternatively, the direct link to the post is https://takeactionburlington.ca/2020/04/06/flush-only-the-three-ps-poop-pee-and-toilet-paper/.
Lettuce, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, strawberries, celery!! WOW!!!
UH OH! A skunk!!
Town of Oakville Tree and Plant GIveaway!!! June 26 LOOK!
Pick up & Plant a Tree.
Friday, June 26 from 4 to 8 p.m.
To help reach our 40 per cent canopy coverage goal, Oakville residents are also invited to plant a native tree on their property. To celebrate Canada’s 153rd birthday, we are giving away 153 trees. Residents can select from three species including Sugar Maple (Canada’s National tree), White Pine (Ontario’s tree) and Oak (popular tree in Oakville), while supplies last. If you don’t have space for a tree, we will have hundreds of plants and flowers available too.
Tree Pick Up and Rock Drop Off Locations
Oakville residents are invited pick up trees and flowers, and safely drop their rocks off, at the following locations:
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Westwood Park Gazebo (170 Wilson Street)
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Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park Butterfly Gazebo (2340 Ontario Street)
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Centennial Square (120 Navy Street)
Special Canada Day giveaways will be offered during the tree, plant and flower pick-up times.
After dropping off your rock art or picking up your tree, please support our BIAs by shopping local.
Residents are reminded to follow proper health precautions, including the use of face coverings, use of hand sanitizer, and practicing physical distancing.
FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE!