LAC LA BICHE - Supporting youth at Aurora Middle School with hands-on, educational activities while promoting environmentalism has earned Brian Deheer the 2022 Friends of Education Award.
The award is handed out to four recipients, recognized throughout the year, by Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS). Deheer, who is the President of Healthy Waters Lac La Biche, has been supplementing Grade 5 and 8 science curriculums in the Lac La Biche school since 2013.
“Almost every year, I do a wetland role-playing exercise with Grade 5 students and also a watershed demonstration with Grade 8 students,” says Deheer. In addition, there are artwork activities relating to wildlife and environmental activities.
The award was presented by NLPS’ board of trustees on Dec. 14 to Deheer. The board recognizes Deheer’s efforts to create a real impact and get students thinking about the environment, according to NLPS Board Chair Karen Packard.
“Sharing his knowledge and skills with our students not only enhances their educational experience, but it also helps our students develop into citizens who are aware of the world around them and the impact they can make.”
Including youth in conservation
Thankful for the recognition, which he says came as a surprise, Deheer is most proud that he can create an impact and get young students involved in conservation through education.
“It’s valuable to educate everyone as much as possible about the importance of our environment and our watersheds. It’s also best to start as early as possible. I’m happy to have that opportunity to do that.”
Working with the Grade 5 and 8 students, Deheer supplements their provincial science educational requirements during the workshops.
Over the years, students have used the initiative to paint fish drawings near the school's drains which “is a reminder that everything that goes through the drain goes into the lake,” says Deheer.
The Grade 8 classes at the school have also participated in a plastic watershed demonstration made of a molded plastic model emulating a landscape to show how water flows and drainage systems work.
“We always involve the students in not only seeing the demonstration but helping to set it up,” using potential pollutants in the environment, model homes, vehicles and other components that make up a community in the display, said Deheer.
The workshops also include how contaminates entering the Lac La Biche watershed travel across the world.
“Lac La Biche watershed flows to the Mackenzie River and then the Arctic Ocean,” he explains, noting that contaminated waterbodies flow through other watersheds.
Speaking to the award, Deheer says he gives credit to the team of teachers and active environmental advocates in the community who continue to provide support.
“I don’t take sole responsibility. I was happy to have help from various people including the teachers involved at Aurora Middle School and also members of Healthy Waters Lac La Biche,” Deheer says.
