What sponsors are saying about ART’s outreach and educational programs...

“We feel strongly that this project will be an important tool in helping to raise public awareness of the importance of marine and coastal conservation. Innovative public awareness and education tools are needed to get these messages out.” (Jim Barlow of Parks Canada on the Salish Sea Handbook)

“Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation is happy to share with you an exciting venture that has been more than a year in the making. This handbook is intended to provide a unique and exciting way for educators to instruct students about recycling and endangered species using music and songs. We hope that you find as much pleasure in this program as we have in its development. Following is some background on how the Alberta handbook came to be.

In September 2003, ABCRC hosted the Canadian Recycling Affiliates Conference in Kananaskis, Alberta. Individuals gathered from all over North America for a chance to network and discover what was new and exciting within the Recycling Industry.

A performance was given by a school choir from Canmore, led by Holly Arntzen. It was exciting to watch the children perform and sing about environmental messages. This unique way of teaching generated rave reviews from the audience.

The performance also sparked a deeper discussion within ABCRC to become involved with the project. It encompassed two things near and dear to ABCRC—recycling and children. Looking at the first handbook created in British Columbia by Encorp Pacific and Artist Response Team (ART), ABCRC decided to expand the concept with a national perspective.

A meeting was held with some local teachers in Calgary to get feedback on how they would use the handbook and what improvements could be made. The major point discussed was that Alberta teachers educate their students with national information, not just resources specific to Alberta. The question, “What is my responsibility, as a citizen of the world, to preserve the Earth?” has driven the handbook style. ABCRC and ART decided to revise the handbook with a broader focus, containing information that could be used throughout schools in Canada. The CD of songs has been translated into French becoming an additional resource for the French and Bilingual schools.

We hope you enjoy using this handbook in your schools; find delight in the process and know that every child or person can make a difference by recycling to preserve our environment. It is a simple but important step as we learn to crawl and walk towards sustainability.” (Guy West, General Manager, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC)