While now a rare sight, buffalo—referred to as bison by Western biologists—have been a defining presence on the Canadian Prairies for as long as history can recall. In addition to being vital to Indigenous Peoples of the Prairies, buffalo played an important role in grassland management through their grazing patterns and frequent movement across the landscape, which helped naturally maintain soil health. This relationship between buffalo and grasslands allowed the Prairies to thrive for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As we explore pathways to achieving net-zero, it is worth looking to buffalo and their long-standing relationship with the land for inspiration on living in balance with prairie ecosystems.
Lesson Type: Literacy
Duration: Single Class
Sector: Food，Agriculture & Land Use
Region: Rural Areas, Agricultural Regions
We are actively working to improve the offerings of N:OW for Net-Zero and this curriculum library. Have you used a lesson plan? Do you have any issues with a lesson plan? Do you have any suggestions or critiques about the library?
Please share how your experience has been as any feedback is so valuable for us!
In this lesson, students explore the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing and its connection to environmental stewardship and emissions reduction. They examine how Indigenous ways of knowing emphasize reciprocity with the Land and how these perspecti... read more
Our lessons are based on the science and solutions of Project Drawdown. Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world stop climate change — as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible. They already have a world-renowned Climate Solutions Library of measurable practices and technologies that will reduce emissions.
Our lessons bring these solutions into the context of Canadian classrooms. We partnered with 25+ teachers all across Canada to create lesson plans on each of the Project Drawdown climate solutions. Our goal is for these lessons to enhance climate education with relevant solutions and ambitious targets that students can understand and enact.
By making an account, you join our community of educators and gain FREE access to all our libraries and resources! You’re also added to our email list so that you can receive emails from us about program updates like grant announcements and application deadline reminders.
Membership is free and helps us track our impact in order to advocate for more support for youth climate education and action.
Connecting Our Lessons to Your Curriculum
There is still a long way to go to fully incorporate climate education into curricula. Our lessons mobilize current Canadian curricula to discuss climate change. And we don’t stop at the doom and gloom. We are finding spaces in all subjects for students to explore climate action and take steps towards a sustainable future, with our lessons on emissions reduction and climate solutions. Search our library by subject, grade and region to find Solution Lessons relevant for your learners.
Introducing Our Lessons
We recommend introducing students to key climate concepts before implementing our Solutions Lessons. Use our introductory presentation or our Introductory Lessons to familiarize your students with emissions reduction and Canada’s net-zero policies.
Accessing Our Lessons
All lessons are available for download with our free online membership. Each lesson includes resources (digital and/or printable) to be used during delivery as well as detailed instructions on how you can implement the activities in your own class. We distribute all resources via Google Suites so you have your own copy to adapt and manipulate.
