Welcome back, everyone.
The holidays have wrapped up, the decorations are coming down, and for students and teachers across the province, the alarm clocks rang a little earlier this morning. It’s January 5th, which means the “Winter Back-to-School” season is officially here.
Trading pajamas for textbooks and quiet mornings for busy hallways can be a bit of a shock to the system. But as we settle back into our routines for the second half of the school year, we have a unique opportunity. The start of a new calendar year is the perfect time to reset our habits. As you pack your bags and head back to class, why not add a few “wildlife-friendly” resolutions to your school routine?
Here are three simple ways to make this semester a little greener and kinder to animals.
1. The Lunchbox Audit
School lunches are one of the biggest sources of single-use plastic waste, much of which ends up in landfills or, worse, as litter that endangers local wildlife.
- The Challenge: Try to pack a “litterless lunch” at least three days a week. Swap the plastic baggies for reusable containers, bring a real fork instead of a plastic one, and use a refillable water bottle.
- The Impact: Less plastic means less risk of microplastics entering our waterways, protecting fish and the animals that rely on them.
2. Watch Your Commute
In January, the commute to school often happens in the dark or the grey half-light of dawn. This is a dangerous time for nocturnal animals who are heading back to their dens.
- The Challenge: Whether you are driving, taking the bus, or walking, keep your head up. If you drive, scan the shoulders of the road carefully. If you walk, keep an ear out. Being alert prevents accidents and keeps our shared spaces safe.
3. Use Your Voice (and Your Assignments)
You don’t have to wait until you graduate to make a difference. Some of the most powerful advocacy for animal rights comes from students.
- The Challenge: Look at your upcoming projects. Can you choose a topic related to wildlife conservation? Can you start an eco-club or an animal welfare club at your school? (Or join an existing one!)
- The Impact: Education is the most powerful tool we have. By sharing what you know about local wildlife with your classmates, you are building a future generation that cares.
As we open our notebooks to a fresh page today, let’s promise to write a better story for the world around us. Good luck with the new semester!