What is ECOFEST?

ECOFEST is a multi-level community outreach initiative of the Artist Response Team (ART) and Royal Roads University (RRU), a year-round process encompassing:

1. ecological education in schools through music and art;
2. communication through a national media campaign; and
3. celebration in an annual community festival, to occur during Canadian Environment Week each June at Royal Roads University.

Download the ECOFEST Booklet (2 Mb PDF file)

ECOFESTwill involve thousands of people through their direct participation in the various project components.  Millions of others will be touched through the expansive use of media.

ECOFESTis a year-round process that educates and raises global awareness of sustainability issues through music, art and the creative use of information technology, providing practical tools to prepare for climate change.  A world-class music and arts festival will cap a year of activities, bringing together thousands of people in celebration of environmental achievements by schools, communities, and in the marketplace. ECOFEST provides a collaborative platform for delivering lifelong environmental learning resources to the community and the world.  You can be part of it!    

Education
Cycle of Life Learning Resources
During the school year, teachers use resources that have CDs of songs about ecology, supported by educator's handbooks providing activities linked to  song lyrics that fulfill prescribed learning outcomes. These award-winning packages include Cycle of Life/Recycle (endangered species and recycling) and the SalishSea project (marine conservation), and are in use by schools in Canada and the United States. Children learn songs and discover deeper meaning through activities and field trips.  The resources are “provincially recommended” by the B.C. Ministry of Education.

Voices of Nature School Programs
The school programs culminate in concerts in community theatres with professional musicians, where school choirs and bands perform for families and friends. Choirs are recorded for a variety of CDs. Artist-in-residence programs are planned for the 2006-07 school year in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.  Participating students are invited to travel to ECOFEST to celebrate and share their learning with the world.

Green Roads Professional Development Residency and Programs
Throughout the school year, green learning programs will be offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University, culminating in a “Green Roads” professional development program for educators, a 5-day residency on campus in July.  Green Roads professional development highlights innovation in education, and demonstrates creative tools and techniques for teaching about ecology through music and the arts.  Network with like-minded educators, artists, and ecologists, expand your knowledge and understanding of the issues, and develop a grassroots strategy to help your school and community move into sustainability.

Communication
ECOFEST on the Airwaves, Online and in Print—National Media Campaign
Kicking off on Earth Day in April 2007, a high-profile national multi-media campaign of public service announcements recorded by headline artists will raise awareness of important ecological issues, and actions we can all take to make a positive difference.  The Voices of Nature Radio Show (now in its third season on Village 900 AM) and “Artists Out To Save The World…and Pay the Rent” radio special will be broadcast and podcast, along with the 60-minute television documentary “Holly and Voices of Nature”.  A Catalogue of Green Songs will be compiled and distributed to radio stations throughout Canada, with the request to please broadcast any songs already on your playlist carrying a green message.

Touch-Down Tour
Special media events, concerts and performances will occur throughout Canada
leading up to ECOFEST, to publicize the project nationally.