“It’s Not Easy Being Green” –Kermit the Frog

30 May 2012Kenzie B

The BEAT has made it through another year with its fair share of achievements: garbage clean ups, eelgrass awareness seminars, broom removal sessions, and green contests have all played their parts for BEAT 2012. Our goals have been to gain people’s awareness through our events, and, from what I’ve seen, we’ve made quite the difference.

Spreading awareness began with monthly BEAT assemblies, and continued with lectures about preserving eelgrass, a native species that is being slowly demolished by boaters and pollution. Broom removal started in the fall with some members from the Rotary Club – BEAT members chose their paths and began the tasks of removing the invasive species by means of hard work and perseverance.

We are the ‘minority’ club of the Brentwood campus – the BEAT is to Monaco as SPARC is to the rest of Europe. Being the smallest ‘country’ puts us at a bit of a disadvantage; we tend to be a little underappreciated, but thankfully we have a dedicated troop of willing members who make it their goals to ‘save the environment’ on the last Friday of every month.

The last green act of the 2011/2012 academic year has volunteers digging away in the school garden located in front of the Felix’s house every Monday at 6 o’clock, unearthing strawberries, potatoes, and various other vegetables. We have also started growing seasonal vegetables for the warm summer months. Experience isn’t necessary, only the ability to differentiate between weeds and veggies.

Our activities have also included the BC Green Games, where we sent in a video and a short essay explaining the BEAT and the impact it has at Brentwood. Students learned about the event through the many emails and announcements that were made to help garner support for Brentwood. Another contest that the BEAT participated in was the Green Futures Award from Tree Canada and FedEx. Brentwood brought home the gold for the entire province of British Colombia. Our award included $1,000 in cash and a plaque awarded by ‘Tree Canada’. Our efforts have, once again, really paid off.

At end the year we will also be hosting a BEAT BBQ at the waterfront on June 10th. The waterfront will be open for every Brentwood student, and popsicles will be provided to help combat the heat. Thanks to everyone who has participated in the ‘House Trash Sorting Interhouse Challenge’.

Every member of the BEAT had more than one event on the go this year. Despite the hectic schedule, however, our dedicated members still find the time to attend monthly meetings and collaborate on generating new ideas for Brentwood’s environmental progress. New members have come, and old members have left, but one thing that remains an integral part of the BEAT is its unyielding persistence to tell you exactly where to put that banana peel. 😉

Kenzie B, BEAT Captain

Where Students Choose To Be