The Georgetown Elementary School has again won recognition for its environmental efforts. This time they have captured the "Best Overall Entry" for Canada in the 1996 National Wildlife Week Awards for Habitat 2000 projects. Barry Hicken, Minister of Environmental Resources offered his congratulations noting that, "The Georgetown students are to be applauded for providing a model for everyone on how to respect, care, and protect our environment. Over the years I've watched all the good things the Georgetown school's conservation group has accomplished, and I am pleased that their efforts have been recognized by such a significant national award."
Under the leadership of Garry MacAdam and Leo Hendricken, the grade 5-8 group developed an interpretive nature trail and pond close to the school grounds. This involved cleaning up what had been an old garbage site, planting trees, putting up signs identifying trees and wildlife habitat, building bridges, stocking the pond and establishing nest boxes. They received funding from the Habitat 2000 program for minor expenses.
Distributed each year to Island schools by the Department of Environmental Resources, the Habitat 2000 educational kit is an environmental education program developed by the Canadian Wildlife Federation to raise awareness of wildlife. Using the education kit as a base, schools develop and work on local environmental projects. Schools from across Canada submit reports and separate winners are selected for elementary and secondary school efforts. An overall winner from all entries, whatever level, is also selected and this year Georgetown Elementary was selected as the "Best Overall Entry." This is not, however, their first award from the Habitat 2000 program. In 1994, the grade 5-8 group at Georgetown Elementary School also won the first runner-up prize in the elementary category.