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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 8, 2007 - 13 Youths see what world could be By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER For most people, the thought of children playing in a schoolyard conjures up the image of a field with short grass, surrounded by a fence, maybe with soccer nets. But for students at Sunningdale Public School, the schoolyard looks more like a wilderness retreat than your typical patch of grass surrounded by asphalt. For the last 10 years, Sunningdale, a French immersion school, has seen `Dreamacres', their school ground greening project, grow into a leading example of naturalization in urban areas and the possibilities for a green future. "They (naturalization projects) are the only future," said Maggie Linton, a Sunningdale teacher who began the project in 1997. "Because if our earth is not healthy, we are all going to get hot, and the earth is not going to be worth anything. We can't eat money," said Linton. Since the project's launch, Sunningdale has been receiving support from Evergreen, a national charity that supports the creation of healthy natural outdoor environments in urban areas. Evergreen partnered with Toyota in 2000, which provides financial grants to schools such as Sunningdale through its Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program. "Evergreen is focused on bringing nature into cities," said Geoff Cape, founder and Executive Director of Evergreen. "And one of our core pro- grams is the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program. Learning Grounds is focused on transforming asphalt and chain link fence, prison yard type environments in schools, into natural areas for learning, adventure and discovery." With more than 3,000 schools across Canada taking part in the program, Cape hopes more schools strive to accomplish the level reached by Sunningdale, saying it is not just adding aesthetic quali- LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ENVISIONING THE FUTURE: Oakville's Sunningdale Public School is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dreamacres, its schoolyard naturalization project.Toyota Canada Inc. has provided funding for three years. From left,Tyler Collins, student, Carter Locke, student, Frank Apa, President of Oakville Toyota, Geoff Cape, founder of Evergreen, Maggie Linton, teacher and Cyril Dimitris, Toyota Canada. involved with Evergreen and the Learning Grounds Program is the perfect way to show the company's commitment to the environment through a proactive initiative. "This was a unique opportunity," said Cyril Dimitris, Director, Officer and Corporate Secretary for Toyota Canada. "It allowed us to sort of combine our care for the environment as well as education and create a program that was unique and could contribute to raising and educating environmental leaders at a very young age, and creating an educational environment that is more environmentally friendly and healthy." Cape shares the same sentiments as Dimitris. "It's about getting the kids inspired with ideas of what the world could be," said Cape. "So the kids involvement in this work is fundamental. I mean, they're going to grow up, a whole generation of kids with a different perspective on what cities could be like and how green a city could be." The students themselves seem more than pleased with the transformation of their yard over the last decade, and according to Linton, they view the schoolyard as a badge of honour. "For them, this is their schoolyard," said Linton. "They love to be active. They love to get their hands in the dirt. All their stories are about `the plant I planted, the tree I planted, I helped here, and I helped there'. They are so proud of what they do." To date, The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program has distributed $1.5 million in grants in Canada over the past seven years. "It's about getting the kids inspired with ideas of what the world could be." Geoff Cape, Evergreen founder and executive director Same Great People Same Great Location After 23 years, Manny Pereira is pleased to announce that he has joined the Advantage Car & Truck Rental family. ties to the schoolyard, but creating a better learning environment. "Planting trees is part of it, but creating wilderness learning spaces, outdoor classrooms, is really the heart of it. So it's everything from vegetable gardens to seating areas, and physical outdoor teaching spaces." Sunningdale celebrated the continued growth and commitment of `Dreamacres', last week, with representatives from Toyota and Evergreen on hand to present the school with a $2,000 grant towards the project. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Acting Mayor Councillor Marc Grant were also in attendance. To date, the school has received five grants from Evergreen and Toyota, for a total of $9,350. For Toyota, becoming More Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUV's, Luxury Vehicles,Convertibles at Very Competitive Rates $ 25 OFF Any Rental! Any Time! Expires: June 30/07 WITH THIS AD Call 905-844-5291 263 Speers Road, east of Dorval Dr., Oakville Metroland Coming June 2007 Request a free copy email: info@live-it.ca editorial highlights: · Are you fit for golf? Tips to get in shape for the game · Get growing organically this summer · Ban the tan: health experts advise · What's all the fuss about trans fats? · Plus summer salsa and berry healthy delights Live It! 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