HDSB Celebrated for Leadership in Sustainability and Climate Education
Through innovative programming, strong community partnerships and student-centered initiatives, the HDSB continues to advance climate education and drive meaningful environmental action across its schools.
The HDSB was awarded the 2025 Green Cities Award by Credit Valley Conservation’s Friends of the Credit program, which recognizes groups for implementing leading edge green infrastructure in new development and existing urban areas. This recognition celebrates the HDSB’s growing leadership in environmental stewardship, including the development of innovative green infrastructure projects and its commitment to integrating climate adaptation and sustainability into student learning.
The HDSB was recognized for the building of a 350m² rain garden and leading student-driven initiatives that integrate climate adaptation into education, instilling sustainability values across the entire school community. The award acknowledges the broader impact of the HDSB’s sustainability work, which includes engaging students, staff and community partners in climate education and action across the system.
“The HDSB was very deserving of this award and a terrific partner to work together with on this project,” says Amanda Slaught, Integrated Water Management Specialist at Credit Valley Conservation. “Together, we revitalized an area of approximately 350m², transforming it into a thriving space filled with native plants, enhancing biodiversity while also collecting and treating stormwater on-site. It serves as a fantastic educational resource, offering teachers and students a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity right on the school grounds.”
Beyond its educational value, the rain garden fosters community engagement by providing additional green space and serving as a model of climate change adaptation landscaping. It offers the local community a tangible example of how they can implement similar solutions on their own properties to strengthen resilience against climate change. The HDSB is emerging as a leader in green infrastructure, taking significant steps to transform school grounds into sustainable, climate-resilient spaces. Their commitment is clear through their active support of initiatives like the George Kennedy PS rain garden and their enthusiasm to expand rain gardens to more schools.
In addition to its work with Credit Valley Conservation, The HDSB has formed a strong partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) to enhance environmental education and empower youth across its schools. This year, the HDSB hosted a Climate Action Youth Forum for students in Grades 5-8, featuring hands-on, engaging workshops led by community partners for students while educators participated in professional development around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The momentum continued after the youth forum as each school walked away with an Action Project grant to implement sustainable initiatives in their schools and broader communities.
"The Halton District School Board continues to set the bar in Canada for embedding environmental learning and sustainability into education,” says Jenn Stevens, President & CEO of Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF). “Their leadership and board-wide support ensures that students not only understand the challenges we face but are empowered to take action. Through our extensive work with teachers and students, it’s become clear that board-level support plays a crucial role in realizing and implementing this work in schools. At Learning for a Sustainable Future, we are proud to play a role with the HDSB through professional learning, youth climate forums, and the Sustainable Future Schools program, helping to empower a generation of changemakers! We look forward to continuing our strong partnership."
The HDSB’s participation in the EcoSchools program also saw remarkable growth, with 81 schools submitting Action Plans – a significant increase from 47 the previous year. These school-led plans connect directly to the curriculum and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while aligning with HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan priorities: Environmental Leadership, Learning & Achievement, and Mental Health & Well-Being.
This year’s results include:
- 22 Platinum certified schools
- 24 Gold
- 5 Silver
- 10 Bronze
- 20 participant schools
Participation in the EcoSchools program allows the HDSB to see the collective impact of school-led environmental efforts across the system. It demonstrates how small, everyday actions, when taken together, can lead to significant, system-wide change.
“On behalf of EcoSchools Canada, I extend warm congratulations to the students, staff and community of the Halton District School Board on their outstanding achievements in the EcoSchools program this year,” says Sierra Frank, Co-Executive Director of EcoSchools Canada. “With 81 schools completing over 1,100 environmental actions, your commitment to sustainability and leadership in environmental education is clearly highlighted. We celebrate your success and look forward to the continued impact you will create in the year ahead.”
“Fostering environmental literacy and sustainability is a shared responsibility that begins with education,” says Aiman Flahat, Superintendent of Education. “We are proud of the growing number of schools, staff and students who are taking meaningful action to address climate change and promote environmental stewardship. These efforts align with our Multi-Year Strategic Plan, empowering students to become thoughtful, engaged global citizens.”
Through continued collaboration, innovation and student engagement, the HDSB remains dedicated to building a more sustainable future, both within its schools and throughout the broader community.
