Island student Jessie Woods has earned a spot in a calendar being distributed nation-wide with her drawing promoting energy efficiency.
The daughter of Cathy and Earl Woods of Souris West, Jessie is the winner of the Prince Edward Island poster contest for the 2008 Energy and the Environment Calendar. Produced by Natural Resources Canada to promote wise energy use and a healthy environment, the calendar features one drawing from each province and territory. About 135,000 calendars are distributed to households, schools and businesses across Canada.
The theme for the poster contest for the 2008 calendar was “Using Less ... Living Better.” Through the poster contest, the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry invited young Islanders to learn about the environmental benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as links between energy use and climate change.
Jessie’s artwork, entitled “Don’t Pollute the Environment,” encourages the use of bicycles rather than cars, hanging clothes on the clothesline to dry, and using solar power. Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry George Webster recently visited Rollo Bay Consolidated School to present Jessie the contest prizes and speak with students.
“Jessie’s drawing clearly shows how using energy more efficiently can help our environment,” the Minister said. “The less energy we use, the less pollution we create and the cleaner our air is to breathe.”
In addition to having her drawing featured in the calendar, Jessie received a mounted copy of her artwork, as well as a backpack and watch. The school also received a mounted copy of Jessie’s artwork. A total of 175 Island students entered the contest for the 2008 Energy and the Environment Calendar. They all received participant prizes for their outstanding efforts.
“The students had some excellent ideas for conserving energy and protecting our environment,” said Minister Webster. “I congratulate all the students and thank teachers for their efforts in helping young Islanders learn more about energy, energy efficiency and climate change.”
To learn more about energy and our environment, Island students and teachers can visit the CalendarClub website at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/CalendarClub Copies of the 2008 Energy and the Environment Calendar will be available at Access PEI sites throughout the province and from Island Information Service (1-800-236-5196) later this year.