The most important wetlands in North America is right here in Mossbank. That’s the message that Mossbank School students heard at the launching of the Mossbank School Wetland Centre of Excellence on May 29.
This centre is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan. It is a partnership between Mossbank School and Ducks Unlimited and will be educating students about the wetlands and engaging them in wetland conservation. “Things like this happen when we have good relationships in place,” said Tony Baldwin, Prairie South School Division director of education. “It’s so unique. The kind of partnership here can’t be replicated in cities.”
Mossbank’s Grade 11 Environmental Science 20 class hosted the opening events for students, staff and visiting dignitaries where they listened to addresses from dignitaries, raised the Wetlands Centre’s flag and viewed educational displays by Ducks Unlimited.
Commenting on the value of such a centre in Mossbank, Baldwin added, “It’s so important that every school finds its way in a manner that is meaningful for itself.”
Tod Wright, conservationist, author and past president of Ducks Unlimited, was instrumental in getting the centre off the ground. Wright lives in Burlington, Ont., but has been coming out to Mossbank’s wetlands since 1972 when he was first invited to hunt in the area. He’s been excited about Mossbank’s wetland area ever since. He is also a private donor to the Mossbank School’s Wetlands Centre and sponsors the Tod Wright Wetland Scholarship for a Mossbank graduate pursing a post-secondary program in the environmental field. Wright wanted Mossbank’s students to realize that the most important area in North America for waterfowl protection is in Mossbank.
