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Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM Special Sections Renews Commitment to Wetland Education 
Selkirk-based company has enhanced education of thousands of grade four students
Oak Hammock Marsh, October 9, 2003 – Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM Special Sections announced it will renew its funding of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Adopt-A-Class wetland education program for grade four classes throughout the Lord Selkirk School Division. DUC formally recognized Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM’s ongoing support of the Adopt-A-Class program at the Lord Selkirk School Division office today.
In seven years of sponsorship, Gerdau has enhanced the education of almost 3,000 grade four students in the Lord Selkirk School Division through the Adopt-A-Class program. At the ceremony today, a group of 20 students (representing every grade five and seven class in the division) who had been sponsored by Gerdau in the past were on hand to personally thank Gerdau for contributing to their education. These students are now putting their knowledge into action by starting their own wetland enrichment program with the help of DUC.
“ Gerdau Ameristeel is a strong believer in continuing education,” said Garry Leach, president of Manitoba’s Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM operations. “Environmental issues are very important to us in our daily business operations. It’s great getting feedback from the students and gratifying to see how the money is being spent to help them further their science studies.” Leach added that the Adopt-A-Class program supports Gerdau’s commitment to education and the environment while providing an opportunity to invest in the community.
In addition to the recognition from DUC, Gerdau was also presented with a Science Achievement Award from the Science Teachers Association of Manitoba (STAM) for their support of Adopt-A-Class and other programs. The STAM Science Achievement Award is designed to recognize teachers, individuals, or organizations having made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the field of science teaching and/or the promotion of science education in Manitoba.
Under the Adopt-A-Class program, sponsors like Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM essentially “adopt” a class, underwriting the costs of learning materials and field trips. The educational materials, designed by DUC’s educators, complement teachers’ resources and align with the grade four curriculum. For their field trips, the students sponsored by Gerdau Ameristeel in the Lord Selkirk School Division travel to Oak Hammock Marsh to experience wetlands up close.
“ What makes DUC’s education programs so effective is the hands-on component that lets the kids see for themselves all the things they learn about in class,” said Dr. Rick Wishart, director of education for DUC. “Through the support of organizations like Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM, students receive a unique educational experience that delivers a strong message about the value of wetlands.” It’s fantastic to see these older students here today now taking on their own action-oriented project as a follow up to their participation in Adopt-A-Class.
Becoming an inaugural sponsor in 1997, Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM is joined now by hundreds of individuals, community groups and corporations across Canada that support the Adopt-A-Class program in their communities. As a result, every year the program has expanded and improved. Last year, almost 25,000 students across the country participated in the Adopt-A-Class program.
For 65 years, DUC has conserved, restored and managed wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats, which act as nature’s water filters, also benefit other wildlife and people.
Gerdau Ameristeel-MRM Special Sections, an international steel manufacturing company based in Selkirk, recycles scrap steel into a wide variety of specialty steel products. Its commitment to education includes work experience programs with the Lord Selkirk School Division, scholarship programs for employees and their families and an internal commitment to continuing education for employees.
