Installing solar panels on Lacombe Composite High School is a tough act to follow but the school’s Eco-Vision Club is up for the challenge.
The student environment club is fundraising for its next eco-friendly project — a composting system and a community garden housed in a greenhouse.
The cost is estimated at $50,000 and thanks to ongoing grants and a new $10,000 grant from BP A+ for Energy, the club has already reached the $20,000 mark.
As well, the club was one of four student clubs across Canada to win a $2,000 prize for its short video on the school’s green initiatives in the 2011 ECO Action! Video Contest. The other winning teams were from Saskatchewan and Ontario. Eco-Vision received the grant last year, too.
The two phases of the project are expected to be completed by next spring. The club is still in the planning and initial design phases.
Charles Nokes, the outgoing president of Eco-Vision, said the composting initiative will be the first implemented because it will likely be the most seamless. The two systems will be built on the west side of the school.
Each month, the school cafeteria throws out an estimated 200 to 300 kg of compost material, which goes to the landfill and adds to greenhouse gases. Nokes said this waste can be put to good use in its community garden.
Last year, the club raised about $35,000 to purchase and install the solar panels on the school’s roof and the project was completed in the fall.
Watch the club’s winning video at www.eco.ca.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com