BEAT at UBC

12 July 2024Jim Ganley

Six members of Brentwood’s Environmental Advocacy art took UBC by storm last Friday morning as they led a session entitled “Putting the Fun in Environmental Fundamentals” at the ISABC Student Sustainability Conference at UBC.

“One guiding principle of our sustainability efforts is that while the goals of the work are serious and really important, we can still have a lot of fun doing it. Students came up with that idea, and the same fantastic students shared their wisdom with their ISA peers eloquently and enthusiastically. Ms Miller and I are very proud of what they have accomplished” enthused Mr Ganley, BEAT & EA Co-Sponsor.

Sharing their experiences of joyous environmentalling, the team retold tales of apple and plum harvesting and canning, a TED talk, tree pruning, Applefest, organic farming, tulip planting, a used book fair, clothing swaps, Bring Your Plant to School Day, thrifted merch iron-ons, Earth Week, volunteering at the Mill Bay Nature School Eco-Fair and service at the Somenos Marsh.

After their presentation, all twelve Brentwood attendees enjoy sessions ranging from whales to bees, eco-bikes, garbage art and strategic plans. “I learned a lot about things like ocean science and indigenous-rooted environmental activism,” shared Sophie S, Alex 24, BEAT Captain.

Speaking of the ocean, Environmental Advocacy hosted two representatives from the Cowichan Estuary Nature Center on Wednesday who shared their experience and passion for nurturing the watershed and the estuary back to health to support wildlife, salmon, and migratory birds including the blue heron.

BEAT and Environmental Advocacy members will be busy in the days before the March Break pruning the apple, cherry, plum, and pear trees on campus and hosting the student environmental groups from Shawnigan and Kelsey.

Where Students Choose To Be