Presented with Junior Conservation Award from Ministry of Natural Resources
22 March 2007, Belleville, Ontario—March Break held a special surprise for students of North Hastings High’s Northern Outdoor Studies (NOS) class. On Friday, March 16, they were presented with the Ministry of Natural Resources Junior Conservation Award, at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters annual conference by Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay. The award is given to the youth group which is judged to have made the most progress and greatest contribution to conservation in the province of Ontario.
“This is a great honour for North Hastings High School. Our Northern Outdoor Studies class has been around since September 1997 and each year it gains popularity,” remarks teacher Glen Pomeroy. “Over the years we have added certifications and tweaked course content to ensure students are learning the skills that natural resources employers are looking for.”
The Northern Outdoor Studies class is a four credit program open to Grade 11 and 12 students. It prepares them for direct entry into the work force in selected sectors such as logging, resource and wildlife management, ecotourism and horticulture. Students study ecology, resource and forestry management, recreation services, community leadership and related topics. Graduates earn 14 certifications, including Ontario Hunter Education, Canadian Firearms Safety, the Fur Harvest/ Management and Conservation Course, Professional Chainsaw Operator and Canoe Tripping Level 1. Before finishing the program, students assemble their own portfolios highlighting the certifications, skills and knowledge gained through the course. Employers in the community are actively involved in curriculum development and work placement initiatives.
Pomeroy and colleague Barb Gillis are both NOS teachers. As part of the course activities, they teach students how to sharpen and use chainsaws, perform Lake Trout spawning surveys, age deer jaws, collect biological data and make plans for a five-day Algonquin Park canoe trip.
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 18,000 students each day at 46 elementary and 8 secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
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For more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1-800-267-4350, extension 2354
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