Down To Earth 
Specialists in Education, Leadership & Training

Phone: 905 - 928- 1956  
      

Grade 9 
Environmental Sustainability

Field Trip: Environmental Impact Study:  Planning for Tomorrow

Grade 9: Geography of Canada
This environmental outdoor education field trip supports the Geography of Canada, Grade 9,  Academic units of study: Geographic Foundations: Space & Systems and Human-Environment Interactions.  

Program Description:  Using a variety of field sampling techniques, students will work in teams to examine the natural and human  factors affecting the health of natural ecosystems within the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Students will evaluate and identify the extent of natural and human impacts on the ecosystem, and make recommendations for future activities in the park.

Specific Expectations:  

• An examination of the characteristics of natural systems.

•  An examination of the ways in which natural and human factors affect ecosystems.

•  A report on ways to improve the balance between human needs and natural systems.

Trip Organization:

• This is a half day program.  The on-site instructor will lead the Planning for Tomorrow outdoor environmental education program with the assistance of the classroom teacher. 

• Classes are invited to continue their studies in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for the remainder of the day under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher who will be responsible for their own self directed activity.
  

Program Sponsorship:  These outdoor environmental education field trips have been developed to complement teaching units on Environmental Sustainability developed in partnership with The Hamilton Spectator, Dofasco and the Hamilton Conservation Authority. 

Teachers of students in Grades 9 & 10 are encouraged to contact:
The Hamilton Spectator - Newspapers in Education initiative for further information on receiving detailed teaching packages on the topic of Environmental Sustainability.  These programs are available free of charge to schools participating in the Newspapers in Education program.