THE BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY

Environment Committee

2001 Calypso Orchid Environmental Award

John Burton was the 2001 recipient of the Calypso Orchid Award. John is a science teacher at Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton, Ontario.  He established and began teaching an Environmental Studies Program for senior students at his school in 1992.  The award was officially presented at the AGM, hosted by the Iroquoia Club in Grimsby, Ontario. John Burton received a certificate and an engraved ironwood walking staff, donated by Hikers Haven.

The program John Burton developed focuses on ecology, water quality, forestry waste management, air and water pollution, and ways to reduce the human impact on our environment.  Each year about 30 students enroll in the program, which is an elective subject for which they pay a fee.  The students participated in a large number of field trips in the Beaver Valley area and the Bruce Peninsula National Park to enhance their learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom.  In an outdoor setting, program participants are also expected to provide instruction for elementary school students ranging from Kindergarten to grade 9 on environmental issues.

Community service is an integral part of the program designed to get students involved as volunteers in projects directed towards protecting the environment.  They have undertaken many large scale activities such as litter cleanup, trail maintenance, tree planting, recycling and campsite rehabilitation and contributed significantly to the maintenance of the Bruce Trail by cleaning up litter at Cyprus Lake, Lion’s Head, and Beaver Valley areas.  They have helped with several reroutes along the Bruce Trail in the Beaver Valley, at Skinners Bluff, and at Loon Lake on the Bruce Peninsula.  They also planted a large number of trees on two Bruce Trail properties near Epping and in the Beaver Valley.

Home Calypso Orchid Award Interpretive Signs Photo Gallery Articles and Publications Links