Apr 23, 2025 | Victoria News via UVic News
Two Saanich educators, Maleea Acker and Jennifer Walton, have developed a free curriculum that aims to connect students to their local watersheds. This program aims to promote a sense of protection and restoration, while integrating Indigenous perspectives and scientific evidence. Named BC Urban Streams and Watersheds, this initiative explores nature-based solutions across Canada and includes science storytelling, a resource library, and an artist commission program. The program focuses on local waterways and provides climate-aware lesson plans for middle school and Grade 12 students. The program has activities such as creating salmon life cycle puppets and nature journaling.
Maleea Acker is a UVic postdoctoral researcher and sessional lecturer in Geography and Canadian Studies. She co-created the free curriculum with St. Margaret’s School teacher Jennifer Walton. Dr. Acker leads the Engage with Nature-based Solutions Initiative, and highlights uniting different points of view, including students, communities, scientists, and teachers. Acker completed her PhD in Geography in 2021, focusing on creative geographies and geopoetics. Acker is also involved in the community through her environmental column for Focus Magazine, and her role at The Malahat Review.
Acker is also an accomplished author, having written four books along with a handful of articles and poetry. If you would like to read some of Acker’s work, check out what she has on our online repository, UVicSpace!
Photo by James Wheeler
