Students Dig into environmental stewardship

Students, teachers, community volunteers and environmental partners gathered at Watts Pond Road on May 5 to help bring a student-led ecological restoration project to life through native plantings, pollinator gardens and erosion-control initiatives. Pictured back row, from left: Lesley Bromhall (teacher), Olivia George, Bryce Schmidt, Lauren Savory, Kate Gingerich, Lainey Reynolds, Sophie Sidebottom, Chloe Lewis, Emily White-Deveroux, Tyson Leversage, Owyn Noonan, Myke Czikk, Navroz Rana, Jade Little, Hannah Bishop, Tajay Dosanjh, Kate Edwards (teacher), Rinad Hashem, Lincoln Little, Trent Meyers (County of Brant) and Chris McAnally (GEDSB). Front row: Addison Hyland and Ellie Monrad.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A group of students from Paris District High School is proving that youth-led environmental action can create real change in the community.

What began as a classroom assignment through the school board’s Eco Action Project has evolved into a county-approved initiative focused on restoring habitat, supporting pollinators and addressing erosion concerns at Watts Pond in Paris.

Led by a small team of students and supported by teachers, community organizations and County of Brant staff, the project included plans for a native pollinator garden along the trails at Watts Pond, as well as the planting of native shrubs and smaller trees to create understory habitat and help stabilize the pond’s banks. 

“The Watts Pond location was chosen because it is a location close to home that could use some help,” said Grade 12 student Addison Hyland, who noted the students eventually developed proposals for both a pollinator garden and understory reconstruction after learning their original drainage pond location was not county property.

On May 5, members of the Eco Action Team and dozens of student volunteers gathered at Watts Pond Road alongside Trent Meyers Forestry Supervisor from the County of Brant and community organizations including Brant for Nature and Grand Erie Master Gardeners to help bring the students’ environmental vision to life through planting and restoration work at the site.

Looking back at how it all started, Paris District High School teacher Lesley Bromhall, said the project began after the school board’s Energy and Sustainability Officer asked her to assemble a team of students interested in solving ecological issues. The original group included Grade 12 students Ellie Monrad, Addison Hyland, Aliah Kingswood and Addison Haller, later joined by Grade 10 student Emily White-Deveroux. 

The students first attended the Eco Action Project Initiative at the Innovation Hub at North Park School, where they were tasked with identifying an environmental issue and developing a project proposal. Initially, the group hoped to create a stormwater garden near Watts Pond. 

Bromhall said it quickly became clear the project meant more to the students than simply completing an assignment.

“At the Hub, while the students were in the first stages of brainstorming, you could tell this was more than a classroom assignment to them — they were passionate, innovative and their enthusiasm was palpable and contagious,” she said. 

The students wasted little time getting started, organizing a visit to the site the same evening after their first session.

“They took soil samples, videos and were mapping out the area,” Bromhall said. “This wasn’t just a theoretical project to them, this was a local, relatable problem that they wanted to solve.” 

The project took another major step forward after students connected with Meyers during a separate tree planting event in Glen Morris. Meyers encouraged the team to develop three formal proposals, a stormwater garden, pollinator gardens along the trails and an understory planting project focused on erosion control. 

Each proposal was researched and developed by individual students before being presented to county representatives.

Ultimately, the county approved the pollinator garden and understory restoration plans, with hopes the stormwater component could be addressed in the future. 

For Grade 12 student Ellie Monrad, the environmental concerns surrounding erosion at the pond became a key focus.

“I focused a lot on the erosion proofing when it comes to the edge of the pond, as there tends to be a lot of erosion in that area because it’s constantly almost a swampland,” Monrad said. “So we’re looking to put some native plants into that to help with erosion, and also the understory.” 

Monrad said the students faced challenges when they learned their original stormwater garden proposal could not move ahead because the land was not owned by the county, but she said community connections ultimately helped move the project forward.

“We realized that was the direct connection we needed to make our plans happen,” she said of meeting Meyers. “That was our biggest step.” 

She said the experience taught students the value of collaboration and environmental stewardship.

“It brings a lot of people together, I think, as well, the environment,” Monrad said. “I really hope the long-term impact on the community will be the green space thriving, having a place to watch birds, and new wildlife and species come back and thrive within the community.” 

Fellow student Aliah Kingswood described the project’s rapid evolution as “very serendipitous,” adding that networking and community partnerships played a major role in turning the students’ vision into reality. 

“I’m excited that we’re able to make a difference in our community and I hope it serves its purpose as educating people,” Kingswood said. “I hope the next generation, or even next years’ classes can do something similar for the good of our community and environment.” 

Hyland said the project also reinforced how important environmental action has become for younger generations.

“I think that I have learned how much our environment needs our help,” she said. “Without humans combating issues, pollinators will continue to die and it will lead to great environmental and economic strain.”

Community organizations also praised the students’ commitment and enthusiasm during the May 5 planting event, where volunteers worked alongside members of Grand Erie Master Gardeners and other environmental groups.

“What struck me immediately is that the students clearly WANTED to be there rather than it being forced or required,” said Myke Czikk of the Grand Erie Master Gardeners. “Within five minutes of being introduced to some students, a couple asked if I wanted ‘to see something cool.’ They had found a moth cocoon on a branch and were thrilled at seeing life in the ecosystem.” 

Czikk said students continued working despite difficult conditions, including thick roots and gravel beneath the soil surface. After planting was completed ahead of schedule, students split into groups to pick up litter and remove invasive garlic mustard plants along the trails. 

Lynne Goulet-Smith, coordinator of the Grand Erie Master Gardeners, said projects like the one at Watts Pond help inspire younger generations to understand the importance of protecting natural spaces.

“Hands-on work enables them to learn not only the ‘how’ but ‘why’ certain measures or procedures are used in sustainable gardening practices and environmental preservation,” she said. 

She added the organization hopes to encourage more youth involvement in environmental stewardship and horticulture while raising awareness about the importance of protecting green spaces, pollinators and waterways.  Bromhall said the support from community organizations and county staff has been overwhelming.

“This entire process has been inspiring thus far, albeit a whirlwind,” she said. “The community and the county have been very supportive of our students. There is an overall sense of hope amongst all involved.”