Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students and staff continue to work together to make a meaningful difference for the environment. Guided by the long-held wisdom taught to us by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, who continue to be stewards of the land and water, we recognize a deep and reciprocal relationship with the environment.
The Tim Walker Memorial Award for Environmental Stewardship is awarded each year to WRDSB schools in memory of the late Tim Walker, a secondary school teacher, and his contributions to education and environmental initiatives.
We are proud to share the winners of the 18th Annual Tim Walker for Environmental Stewardship:
The 2024-25 Winners
- Howard Robertson Public School
- Margaret Avenue Public School
- Grand River Collegiate Institute
- Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate
Congratulations to the students and staff from the selected schools. Thank you for championing and leading these inspiring environmental initiatives in our community. Your efforts to make your school green and environmentally friendly will have a lasting impact for years to come.
Project Summaries
Howard Robertson Public School: Hydroponic Growing Garden
At Howard Robertson PS, students and teachers are teaming up to grow fresh produce - lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, and celery - using a new hydroponic garden system. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using water and nutrients instead.
Once the food is ready to harvest, parent volunteers will help prepare and serve it through the Nutrition for Learning snack program. Students will learn how to plant, care for and harvest food, while building teamwork and responsibility. If the project is successful, it could lead to a larger community garden in the future.
Margaret Avenue Public School: Self-Watering Garden Beds (Wicking Beds)
Margaret Avenue students are building "wicking beds," a type of garden bed that waters plants from below using a water reservoir. These garden beds are great for areas with limited water access, especially in summer.
The initiative is deeply tied to the curriculum in Grades 7 and 8, where students learn about environmental factors in crop success, water sustainability, and the ecological impacts of fertilizers and pesticides. Through classroom experiments and outdoor gardening, students gain the skills to grow their own food. This project also supports newcomer students through inclusive, hands-on learning experiences.
Grand River Collegiate Institute: GRCI Garden Walls of Growth
At Grand River Collegiate Institute, Green Industries students are designing and building a "living wall," a vertical garden filled with real plants. These green walls improve air quality, reduce stress, and make indoor spaces more welcoming.
The students will handle all parts of the project:
- Budgeting
- Planning
- Building
- Installation
The wall will be a lasting feature in the school for students, staff, and visitors to enjoy. This project also helps students learn about environmental design, mental health benefits of green spaces, and the power of working together.
Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams
KCI students are planting a garden as part of a nationwide initiative called Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams, created by First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. This project honours residential school survivors and their families, those who did not survive, and supports reconciliation in Canada.
Civics students are leading the learning about Truth and Reconciliation, while Green Industries students are leading the planting process. The garden will feature native plants and sustainable gardening methods, combining Indigenous knowledge and environmental practices.
This project shows the school's commitment to reconciliation and helps create a new green space for learning and reflection.
About the Tim Walker Award for Environmental Stewardship
The award was established in 2006 by the Board of Trustees to honour the life of the late Tim Walker, a secondary school teacher. The focus of the award recognizes his contributions to education and environmental initiatives. It aims to encourage the growth and sustainability of green initiatives in our schools.
Every year, schools are invited to submit their applications to receive funding - up to $2,000 is available each year.
The Adjudication Committee includes:
- Stephanie and Jim Walker (parents of the late Tim Walker)
- Trustee Meissner
- Student Trustee Feiyang Luo
The committee reviews applications from schools and take the following criteria into consideration:
- Staff and student involvement (current and future) and environmental stewardship
- Impact on student learning, fostering learning and engaging students
- Environmental benefits:
- Shading
- Greening
- Waste reduction
- Recycling
- Organized action/school environmental club, etc.
Schools that meet the criteria are then selected to receive the awards for that school year.
