The Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth is hoping locals, young and old, will duke it out for its second annual tree-growing contest.
The club is inviting people to come to Jasper Junior/Senior High School’s (JJSHS) foyer on Dec. 2 between 12-3 p.m. to purchase their very own tree seedling for $10. Once the tiny tree has been acquired, it’s up to the buyer to care for it during the long winter months.
Then at the end of May or the beginning of June—the date hasn’t been decided yet—participants are invited back to the school to have their tree measured. Those with the tallest trees will win prizes donated by local businesses.
“You can basically do whatever you want—water them, fertilize them, whatever you think will help grow your seedling the fastest,” said Grade 8 student and club member, Nalani Gruys.
“We tried fertilizing ours last year, but it ended up dying so it just depends what works.
“You can experiment however you want.”
Once all the trees have been returned in the spring, the club will plant them just south of Hinton—the same place they planted them last year.
Last year they had about 50 participants for the club’s inaugural contest. Nalani and her sister Keandra Gruys, who is also a member of the club, would like to see more people take part this year.
“I think it’s just important for everyone to get involved with sustainability projects,” Keandra said. “If we don’t start doing our part then we won’t have a world in the future.”
The fundraiser was originally created to raise money for a self-sustaining classroom known as a SEED classroom. However, Chad Krayenhoff, the teacher responsible for the sustainability club, said the project was supposed to be built by an American company, but since the Canadian dollar dropped, Krayenhoff said the project no longer seems feasible.
“It’s just out of reach now,” said Krayenhoff, adding that the club hasn’t been able to find a Canadian company that specializes in sustainable classrooms.
Instead the group will start focusing on other projects like creating more compost options at the school and a rooftop garden.
“We want to have a place where students can sit and be engaged with nature,” Keandra said.
Those interested in the tree growing contest can pick up a $10 seedling in the JJSHS foyer on Dec. 2 from 12-3 p.m.
“We just started asking for donations, but we’re hoping to have some really great prizes,” Krayenhoff said. “We’re really hoping to attract younger students this year.”
The contest is open to the whole community.
For more information about the contest, contact Krayenhoff at [email protected].
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
