Down To Earth 
Specialists in Education, Leadership & Training

Phone: 905 - 627- 3140  
Fax:     905 - 627- 8100      

Grade 11 / 12
Environmental Sustainability

Field Trip:  Environmental and Human Impact 
This environmental outdoor education program supports the Geography, Grade 11 & 12, Academic unit of study: Geographic foundations:  Space & Systems, Human-Environment Interactions.. 

Program Description:   Using a variety of field sampling techniques, students will work in teams to assess the extent of natural and human impact on the environmentally significant ecosystems of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.  They will conduct bio-physical inventories, identify areas of impact and make recommendations for future actives in the conservation  area.

Overall Expectations:

•  Identify the interconnections between natural systems within selected ecosystems.

•  Evaluate the impact of human life on natural systems.

•  Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of stewardship and sustainability as guiding principals for human use of the physical environment.

Trip Organization:  This is a half-day program.  The on-site instructor will lead the Environmental and Human Impact 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 11 & 12 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.