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Lacombe Composite’s Ecovision Club nominated as finalist for two awards

Ecovision connecting digitally throughout pandemic; projects temporarily suspended
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LCHS student Darcy Cunningham and Ecovision teacher Steve Schultz show off some of last year’s community gardens harvest. The club is currently suspending in-person interactions and projects during the pandemic (BLACK PRESS file photo)

Lacombe Composite High School’s Ecovision Club has been nominated as finalist for the Emerald Awards in the Education Category.

Steve Schultz, Ecovision instructor at LCHS, was pleased to see the club be nominated for third time.

It is quite an honour to be nominated for any award. The Emerald Awards are like the Oscars for the environment,” he said.

Schultz said the Emerald Awards are the most prestigious environmental awards a group can be nominated for and awards are handed out to institutes, businesses, community groups, educational groups and schools that do work specifically around the environment.

Schultz said the good news comes at a time when Ecovision and it’s supporters really need it given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are living through a pretty negative experience, so to have the students energy, effort and hard work acknowledged is important,” he said. “It is also a good news story and story of hope. Despite the turmoil around us, we can still have a moment where we can reflect on the good we have done both for the community and the environment.”

Schultz said he was proud of his students for the relentless effort they have put into the club.

“Also, I would like to thank these organizations out there like the Emerald Foundation. Despite COVID-19 — they still went ahead and told our story. I firmly believe we will need to hold on to these types of things to help us get through this crisis,” he said.

Currently, the club and it’s projects are on hold with no in-person connections — including the planned goat sanctuary and living roof scheduled to begin construction this year, but Schultz said the temporary hold has given his students something to look forward to.

One aspect of the project which will be even more important, given the circumstance, is the Animal Therapy program — which is tied to the goat sanctuary.

“I am really glad we have this as one of our components. It wasn’t originally part of the plan but several of our students in Ecovision suffer from anxiety and have really got excited for that opportunity,” he said. “I can say for a fact that the Ecovision students that have reached out to me — they have found hope in knowing we have something to look forward to.”

Schultz took time to thank their many partners in the community and the region.

“I want to let everyone know how much I really appreciate their commitment to our programs. We will have an opportunity to reboot. I really believe that,” he said

Schultz added he also just learned that the club has been nominated as a finalist for the Staples Superpowering Your School award.



todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com

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