Emulating nature to upcycle waste while contributing to a circular economy
Testimonials
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
We had the opportunity to work with the First Nations Zero Waste Ambassador Program for the last few years. It has had a wonderful impact on our school, staff and students. Since being in the program we have gone from using disposable plates in our lunch room to reusable and biodegradable ones. This has cut down on a great deal of waste produced by the school. We have also started recycling our cardboard and paper which has again cut down on a great deal of garbage produced by the school. The program has taught the staff and students the importance of reusing and recycling. The fun activities and crafts have captured the kids' attention and made us all more conscious of our environmental footprint. I would recommend this program to any school.
Robbie Gordon
Principal
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
Mînî Thnî Community School
It was such a pleasure learning from Elizabeth with the First Nations Zero Waste Ambassador Program this spring at Mînî Thnî Community School. Elizabeth was able to reach grades 6-12 during her sessions. During the first session the students (and teacher) were alarmed by how much of our waste ends up in the garbage when we could be doing a much better job of recycling / upcycling / reusing / composting, etc. The students had a lot of fun being creative with the upcycling project and we use the pencil holders in the school. I noticed students being more careful with their waste and asking me whether we wanted to reuse dirty food containers instead of throwing them out. The vermicomposting session was a favourite. At first the students were reluctant to participate and touch the worms, however it didn't take them long until every student had their hands dirty helping to separate the worms. Elizabeth is so passionate about the topic of zero waste and gardening and she shines during her sessions with the students. She has been such a terrific resource and educator in my classroom and I hope to continue to work with Elizabeth in the future. Any class would be lucky to have her share her knowledge and passion on such important topics.
Jamie Martin
Foods Program Teacher
Mînî Thnî Community School
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from the First Nations Zero Waste Ambassador Program as a correlation to our Science unit "Waste and our world". Not only did our students learn so much but so did our teachers. We are so lucky to have had this mentorship. Our students have learned lifelong skills that they can now practice in their daily lives. We cannot wait for next year!
Carly Kelly
Grade 3 and 4 teacher
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
The First Nations Zero Waste Ambassador Program just wrapped up at CJBS. It was such a positive learning experience for both students and staff. Elizabeth was an excellent instructor. She was very knowledgeable and the students loved her hands-on approach. Her kindness, patience, and ability to keep the students engaged was second to none. We all thank you and we can't wait to continue with the program in the Fall.
Jean Whitehouse
Grade 4 and 5 teacher
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School
Nakoda Elementary School
Our preschool students learned about vermicomposting, upcycling and gardening through hands-on experiences with Ciclomanias.
Lise Daumler
Preschool teacher
Nakoda Elementary School
Nakoda Elementary School
Elizabeth was amazing and the students enjoyed when she came into our class! We are excited to get the recycling bins for our schools!
Michelle Onyebuchi
Grade 1 teacher
Nakoda Elementary School
Mînî Thnî Community School
I can't say enough good things about Elizabeth and the gardening extension program at Mînî Thnî Community School and Nakoda Elementary School. Elizabeth is a forward and big picture thinker. She initiated this summer project and it has been a wonderful success. We hired youths to work and get paid over the summer to manage the greenhouse and gardens. They were trained by Elizabeth and reported to her during the summer months. Our two greenhouse helpers learned the value of reliability, teamwork, hard work and of course how to manage a garden! Without Elizabeth this program would have been extremely difficult to manage with school staff off for the summer. The garden and greenhouse is such a beautiful addition to our school. We will continue to harvest and cook with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in food class. Thank you to Elizabeth for being the most amazing person to work with! I hope we can continue to work together in the future.
Jamie Martin
Foods Program Teacher
Mînî Thnî Community School
University of Calgary
Liz and Ciclomanias held a virtual session for the Werklund School of Education Staff Professional Development Day. We made the bottle planters/pencil holders. We went from planning an in-person full day event to a virtual full day event within just a few short weeks. Liz was lovely and accommodating around every part of the changes and rearranging of the planning. Her online presentation was easy to follow and we had very positive responses from our staff. Liz’s bubbly personality shines through even when using videoconferencing. Liz then provided us with some extra materials afterwards, which was greatly appreciated and very helpful, given the unique circumstances of this session.
Judith Berzins
Office of Internationalization Werklund School of Education University of Calgary
Royal Alberta Museum
The book of “Lotli” is one of the most comprehensive childen’s book that I have seen. It is difficult not to fall in love with Lotli the caterpillar, whose noble acts convey to the reader a number of principles and values that I feel are important to promote in children of all ages. Values such as friendship, compassion, and self confidence arises in this beautiful legend. The book of “Lotli” also provides a gateway to discussing topics on environmental education and natural sciences, which are important to the development of environmental literacy inside and outside of the classroom. As it is mentioned in the second section of the book, the monarch butterfly is without question one of nature’s wonders, and it is our responsibility to develop practices that will promote its conservation and that of other species as well. I congratulate the authors for connecting art, literature, and environmental education in such a fun and creative way.
Dr. Christina Barron-Ortiz
Assistant Curator, Quaternary Palaeontology
Royal Alberta Museum
Edomonton, Canada
Nature's Ride
Nature’s Ride has worked with Ciclomanias since 2012 in different initiatives such as the development of environmental education programs for elementary schools in Alberta as well as the development of environmental education children’s books. During this time, we have participated in different venues which includes libraries, International Children’s Festivals, and elementary and high schools. Together we have been able to impact more than 2,000 students, and families that have attended our workshops and storytelling performances. Ciclomanias has incorporated more than the 3 R’s teaching us about rethinking waste and contributing to local economies that use waste as its main inspiration and raw material. Ciclomanias is a visionary organization that contributes with a circular economy while changing behavior in a fun and creative way through arts and science.
Irene Herremans
Executive Director
Nature’s Ride Through Art Society
Calgary Multicultural Arts Society
We found Ciclomanias to be a visionary in the field of waste reduction and blazing the trail for future generations to come. We have collaborated with Ciclomanias for more than ten years. We have invited Ciclomanias to join us in our effort to bring families together and raise awareness about environmental conservation and waste reduction. Ciclomanias has a unique hands-on learning approach of offering workshops to families by upcycling and vermicomposting workshops. Beside the upcycling artwork and workshops offered to the public, Ciclomanias has also performed at one of our popular festivals, the Lilac festival. During this festival they have engaged with families through storytelling, and music based on Ciclomanias’ children books. Over the years, these stories have captured the attention of hundreds of kids and families that learn about environmental conservation and ways to reduce waste in our communities.
Christian Greiffenstein
Executive Director
Calgary Multicultural Arts Society
Calgary Baby and Tot Show
I would highly recommend the services of Elizabeth with Ciclomanias, Elizabeth is very professional and a delight to work with. Upcycling is becoming more of a common word in our vocabulary and it is so wonderful to see the many ways that Elizabeth has incorporated items that we waste daily and how to turn them into works of art and useful pieces too! My first experience of reusing cardboard for show decor went over so well that I invested more the second show into this same decor. Attendees loved the concept! Elizabeth also held daily workshops where she made up kits for the children and their parents to enjoy making taking some time out of their busy day to be creative ad take home a treasure made from items that were upcycled.
Kelly Kennedy
Owner, Calgary Baby and Tot Show
Earth Day at Southcentre Mall
Thanks to Ciclomanias for celebrating with us Earth Day at Southcentre Mall. Visitors of all ages enjoyed the craft activity and the opportunity to take a picture behind the beautiful frame you decorated. Looking forward to working with you in future events!
Alexandra Velosa
Marketing Manager
Oxford Properties Group
Recycling Council of Alberta
Elizabeth and her team at Ciclomanias provided us with over 40 hand made picture frames to use as speaker gifts at our large annual conference. The frames were not only really well made and beautiful, but Elizabeth and her team took the time to handcraft each frame to include characters from our sea themed event. The frames were all unique and personalized to match our event. Elizabeth is a pleasure to work with and we highly recommend her art to any organization. Elizabeth, who was the lead in this project, is a true artist and someone you go to when looking for sustainable, personalized, and beautiful locally made art pieces.
Lindsay Seidel-Wassenaar
Recycling Council of Alberta
Custom Artwork
I instantly fell in love with the layered "Monarch". The unique style of art gives a 3D look that is detailed and beautiful. I enjoyed it so much that I asked Elizabeth to make me another one with cherry blossoms which turned out so lovely. Thank you for creating such amazing art!
Marie Chiem