EarthPLAY for Earth Day 2017

Original date: March 22, 2017

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Presenters: Deb Doncaster and Brenda Simon

Description: Join Deb and Brenda as they walk through the highlights of EarthPLAY for Earth Day, a program focused on improving play opportunities for young people in schools and other community spaces. Hear more about the building movement to “reclaim recess” at schools and listen to testimonials from a local principal and teacher who’ve witnessed their students’ classroom behaviour, mental health and social interactions change for the better, thanks to enriched outdoor play programming. A large percentage of schools have been limiting outdoor time due to cold/rainy weather, changes in learning priorities, concerns around perceived risk, etc. In Canada, only 9% of children receive the recommended one hour of physical activity per day. There’s also lots of opportunity for better play in our local parks and neighbourhoods, even on our streets!

Deb Doncaster has dedicated more than 25 years to the fields of human rights, animal welfare, environmental conservation, planning and stewardship, and green energy. She was a leader in the development of Canada’s first community-owned, utility-scale wind turbine on the Toronto Waterfront and spearheaded several organizations, coalitions and campaigns resulting in the establishment of the Ontario Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program, the Green Energy and Economy Act, the Community Energy Partnership Program and the Aboriginal Energy Partnership Programs. In recognition of her leadership, she was awarded with the Market Transformation Award from the City of Toronto’s Green Toronto Awards, in 2009.

Brenda Simon is a graduate of the law and environmental studies program at York University and later studied education at the University of Toronto. She has worked as a human rights lawyer, a co-op housing developer, and in community education. Brenda has conducted extensive research in the profession of playwork, play policy, and planning, and piloted POP-UP Adventure Play in Toronto for two years before joining Earth Day Canada as the Director of Play Programs.