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The BEAT-ing Heart of Brentwood
BEAT, the Brentwood Environmental Action Team has been working hard this year actively promoting better waste habits, preserving electricity on campus in a “Lights Out” interhouse competition, recruiting speakers to Careers Day, educating Assembly on carbon credits, planting a school garden, pruning fruit trees, conducting food satisfaction surveys, leading a session on climate anxiety, writing letters to our COP 27 representatives, attending environmental conferences at UVic and UBC, celebrating local low-carbon foods, and raising awareness about other environmental issues. In today's climate, BEAT's efforts are more important than ever. According to National Geographic, greenhouse gasses are at a 4.5 million-year high.
To provide a closer look at BEAT's activities, I attended one of their weekly meetings on March 8th. The meeting takes place every Wednesday during cookie break in Crooks 131. While most students enjoy their cookies upstairs, BEAT members are hard at work saving our planet - and eating cookies.
BEAT, along with the 15 students in the Environmental Advocacy art, has organized several events this year, including a campfire, local hikes, a free book fair, and sustainable clothing swaps. This week's meeting was attended by approximately 20 individuals, including BEAT Captain Sophie H, Mack '23, EA Captain Sarah O, Hope ‘23 and BEAT sponsors Mr. Ganley & Ms Miller.
Maud F, Hope '24, began the meeting with a presentation on the importance of wetlands. She highlighted their crucial role as a natural filter for water, an essential habitat for many species, and protection from flooding, drought, and climate change. Sadly, wetland disappearance across Canada and the world is a major issue due to the effects of climate change and growing infrastructure. To help address this, a group of students will be spending Brentwood Service Day, April 1, working at Somenos Marsh, a wetland in North Cowichan.
The students will be contributing to the long-term goal of "restoring the mountaintop-to-ocean biodiversity corridors," as Maud presented. They will do this by preserving, restoring, and renewing the Somenos Watershed ecosystems. The students will remove invasive species and contribute to maintenance with ready and determined hands.
To conclude the meeting, Sophie introduced a new initiative and gauged interest in becoming a BEAT Prefect in one's house. This would help promote BEAT, as more students would be involved, encouraging and fostering further structured interest in the club.
"As we expand our representation across campus, we can ignite more interest and grow a stronger sense of community within BEAT. It's simple - the more committed representatives we have, the greater our impact will be in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability," observed Sophie.
After attending this week's BEAT meeting, I couldn't help but agree with Mr Ganley when he said that the best part of being a part of BEAT is how "encouraging it is to see how much teenagers care about the environment."
BEAT is making a significant impact, and their work is invaluable. Join them!
Lucy M, Mackenzie ‘23
To provide a closer look at BEAT's activities, I attended one of their weekly meetings on March 8th. The meeting takes place every Wednesday during cookie break in Crooks 131. While most students enjoy their cookies upstairs, BEAT members are hard at work saving our planet - and eating cookies.
BEAT, along with the 15 students in the Environmental Advocacy art, has organized several events this year, including a campfire, local hikes, a free book fair, and sustainable clothing swaps. This week's meeting was attended by approximately 20 individuals, including BEAT Captain Sophie H, Mack '23, EA Captain Sarah O, Hope ‘23 and BEAT sponsors Mr. Ganley & Ms Miller.
Maud F, Hope '24, began the meeting with a presentation on the importance of wetlands. She highlighted their crucial role as a natural filter for water, an essential habitat for many species, and protection from flooding, drought, and climate change. Sadly, wetland disappearance across Canada and the world is a major issue due to the effects of climate change and growing infrastructure. To help address this, a group of students will be spending Brentwood Service Day, April 1, working at Somenos Marsh, a wetland in North Cowichan.
The students will be contributing to the long-term goal of "restoring the mountaintop-to-ocean biodiversity corridors," as Maud presented. They will do this by preserving, restoring, and renewing the Somenos Watershed ecosystems. The students will remove invasive species and contribute to maintenance with ready and determined hands.
To conclude the meeting, Sophie introduced a new initiative and gauged interest in becoming a BEAT Prefect in one's house. This would help promote BEAT, as more students would be involved, encouraging and fostering further structured interest in the club.
"As we expand our representation across campus, we can ignite more interest and grow a stronger sense of community within BEAT. It's simple - the more committed representatives we have, the greater our impact will be in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability," observed Sophie.
After attending this week's BEAT meeting, I couldn't help but agree with Mr Ganley when he said that the best part of being a part of BEAT is how "encouraging it is to see how much teenagers care about the environment."
BEAT is making a significant impact, and their work is invaluable. Join them!
Lucy M, Mackenzie ‘23