Greentree School students from Miss Molly Moar’s Grade 5 class and Miss Megan Mason’s Grade 3 class presented Town of Drumheller council and administration on Tuesday, April 25 at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) with a request to consider planting some of the trees and vegetation slated for the Drumheller flood mitigation project 5:1 tree replanting program at the school.
Despite the school name, there are only trees bordering the school grounds, and the students are hopeful their plea will help ‘greenify’ the school and provide shady locations for students, which will promote more enjoyment and beautify the outdoor play area.
“I’m really proud of the work students have put into this, and their passion,” Miss Moar tells the Mail.
She shares the idea first came about around November 2022 and students have had ongoing discussions and lessons since, with the idea evolving over time. Not only did students learn about different varieties of trees, and which kinds would flourish around the school, they also spoke with landscape designers and learned about tree care and maintenance, and prepared for the public speaking portion.
“Standing in front of the officials (members of council and administration) really made it official and real,” Miss Moar says, adding students got to see the impact they can have on the school and their overall community.
The students are hoping the Town will provide about 30 trees throughout the school grounds; the first priority would see ornamental and poplar trees planted along the edge of the playground and bordering the edge of the school field nearest the school building, while second priority would see additional poplar trees planted along the perimeter of the field and ball diamond.
Based on estimates from landscape designers students had spoken with as part of their research, and conversations with the Town, it will cost approximately $1,000 per tree in total with soil, maintenance, and workers’ time.
Miss Moar says, now the presentation portion is complete, students are working on a “what’s next” and have developed an inquiry board in the classroom highlighting the 10 phases of the inquiry cycle, and next steps. They are also developing a protection plan to make sure the trees will be taken care of and survive for many years to come.
The students plan to invite an Indigenous Elder to give a blessing of the trees to help further create ownership and develop a sense of stewardship for the land for all Greentree students.

With fixed election dates, it comes as no surprise, but the writ has been dropped and Alberta is officially back in Election Season.
The Provincial Election is scheduled for May 29.
Provincially, this may be one of the closest elections in years with polls neck and neck between the United Conservative Party, under the new leadership of Danielle Smith, and the NDP with Leader Rachel Notley. Polls appear to show Edmonton with strong NDP leanings, leaving the battleground in Calgary and ridings surrounding larger urban centres.
The rural areas appear to be backing the traditional blue of the Conservatives.

In the Drumheller-Stettler Riding, MLA Nate Horner is back in the race. Horner has served the riding since he was elected in April 2019.
He was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development in November 2021, and is currently the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
So far he has one challenger. Juliet Franklin will be the Alberta NDP candidate for Drumheller-Stettler in the next Alberta provincial election.

Franklin is a practicing pharmacist in Stettler and holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Chicago State University, and a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Studies from the University of The Sciences in Philadelphia.
In the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Riding, incumbent Nathan Cooper is the UCP candidate. Prior to provincial politics, he was a two-term councillor for the Town of Carstairs, and was chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Wildrose caucus. He was first elected in 2015, and was elected Speaker of the House in May of 2021.
In the running is Cheryl Hunter Loewen of the NDP. She holds degrees in economics and law, and previously worked in the energy, technology and public service sectors. She provides advice as a volunteer lawyer to low-income clients at a free public clinic.
The Independence Party of Alberta is running in the riding with candidate Katherine Kowalchuk. She is a practicing lawyer with Getz Collins and Associates in Strathmore.
Constituents of the Brooks-Medicine Hat Riding were at the polls just six months ago, when newly elected UCP leader Smith went seeking a seat in the legislature. At that time, she won 54 per cent of the popular vote.
Also on the ballot again is Gwendoline Dirk of the NDP. Dirk has rural roots and is a professional educator, teaching English for 33 years. She is a volunteer with Saamis Immigration, teaching English as a second language, and is a member of the Medicine Hat Police Commission.
Barry Morishita, Leader of the Alberta Party is also running in the riding. Morishita served as a Brooks City Councillor for 10 years, and Mayor for five years. He was president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association before he went into provincial politics.
The Alberta Party has 18 candidates nominated as of press time.