The Peace Garden was looking its best on Sept. 11 as families, survivors, guests, dignitaries, police officers and first responders, members of the Dawson community and media gathered for the 20-year commemoration of the Dawson tragedy.

That welcoming setting was thanks in large part to the efforts of students in two sections of the intensive Physical Education Eco-Landscaping course, taught by Angela Corinthios and Paul Wasacz.

“We really stressed the importance of making the gardens beautiful and pleasing for all of our community members,” Paul said. “The students were really engaged and were so detail-oriented. They wanted everything to look perfect!”

The work was coordinated by Jennifer de Vera of the Office of Sustainability, with support from volunteers Chris Adam (retired Manager of Sustainability), Liam Barnes (Technician in the Product Design department) and graduate Narcisse Waiel Hassan. Forty-eight students worked throughout the weekend of Aug. 22-23 to overhaul and reapir several areas of the campus.

“This resulted in clean paths, and a facelift to the Peace Garden,” Jenn said. “We were able to temporarily manage the goutweed and remove a lot of overgrown plants, which we replaced with new native plants from local nurseries. The students also repaired the First Peoples’ Centre Garden and the bioretention wall in the 3C courtyard, and cleared out the Monarch Oasis Garden outside the Dawson Theatre.”

One of the students’ most meaningful projects was their work in Anastasia’s Garden, a section of the Peace Garden dedicated to Anastasia De Sousa.

“On a heartfelt personal note, I, like many, remember exactly where I was that horrific day. When we had the 48 students in a circle, explaining the Peace Garden and specifically Anastasia’s tree and garden, I had a hard time containing my tears/emotions, thinking of this age group and of Anastasia’s parents,” Angela said. “It is important now more than ever that we learn that out of tragedy can come peace and community, safety and well-being.”

The impact of the Eco-Landscaping course extends far beyond gardening. Angela says it is an important and impactful course for the students, for the Dawson community, and for the world at large. “The course has a direct impact on student health and well-being,” she said.

“Through the physical activity of gardening and landscaping, the students also learn of environmental actions (even the smallest individual action helps the whole), reciprocity (giving back to what we take from Mother Nature), resilience (to have the capacity/strength to push through, even when faced with adversity), community (coming together, sharing with others, making connections), peace (and healing and safety), hope and optimism (remaining positive in this often doom and gloom world). There is meaningful impact each time this course takes place.”

Paul said the course gives him hope for the future: “(The students) are change makers and they are the reason to remain positive and optimistic … The students really want everyone to visit the Peace Garden and to use it as a place of respite and calm throughout the fall semester.”

Jenn said she has received many compliments from employees and students who have enjoyed “walking the paths of the Peace Garden and enjoying the colourful plants and flowers, the sounds of the birds and insects buzzing about.”

“The overall goal of Dawson’s Living Campus is to reconnect people, community and Nature and this Eco-Landscaping class does exactly that! Looking forward to May 2027 for Eco-Landscaping course #10!!!”