The Burnsview Environmental Studies class focuses on urban space and its use. Since 2010, the class has been planning and working on a number of community projects, and most recently on the transformation of the small forest in Chalmers Park just behind their school.
This space was little used and poorly maintained, so students decided to ask the City of Delta, Deborah Jones of Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, Nature Trust of BC and Rotary North Delta to work together to create a better park for everyone.
The project, which will take several years to mature, was the site of major activity last week as students and community members came together to work on the area.
“It’s exciting to see something that started as a drawing on a poster board begin to form. We can’t express the gratitude to all who have made this project a reality. As a group we are excited to see where phase 2 will take us,” says Burnsview Secondary student Julian Loutsik.
Other projects that the students have worked on include, the Laura Szendrei memorial garden and two retention basins (Rain Gardens) under the Alex Fraser Bridge.
Adds Loutsik, “This course is a great combination of hands on planting and projects to educate our peers and our community”.