Student Mural Now on Display at Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre
Walkerton student Leopold Baker created "Our Home Ontario," with the assistance of fellow students Scarlett Thornton and Reece Collins, and support from the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) grant.
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Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) staff joined Bluewater Education Foundation representatives, media, and other guests at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (BOEC) near Wiarton on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the unveiling of a new student created mural.
Our Home Ontario is a wall-sized acrylic on canvas artwork piece conceptualized and built by Walkerton District Community School student Leopold Baker with the assistance of fellow students Scarlett Thornton and Reece Collins.
The project came to fruition after Leo, supported and encouraged by teachers, applied and qualified for a Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) grant through the Town of The Blue Mountains in April 2025.
With a focus on encouraging action and fostering awareness, concept quickly evolved into creation with the development of a mural featuring endangered and threatened species, species of special concern, and animals “under watch” in Ontario. With the end goal of permanently installing the artwork at the BOEC, where thousands of local students visit annually, certain species were also chosen based on their close proximity to the facility.
From the common snapping turtle, red headed woodpecker, and butternut tree to the wolverine, cougar, and round leaved ragwort, a vast display of animal, mammal, and plant life are featured on the colourful and meticulously detailed canvas.
Through collaboration with members of Blue Mountains’ YCAF Committee, Leo was able to connect with BOEC representatives to create a statement piece promoting species awareness and interest in our local trails and the outdoors. Nature blogs and government websites assisted during the research phase, while canvases were built at home and then stretched at school before preparing for installation.
A glimpse of the artwork was shared with students from across Grey-Bruce at the Youth Climate Action Conference in Owen Sound this past October, where Leo led a mental health workshop focused on connecting our strengths to art.
Prior to arriving at its new home in the front lobby of the BOEC’s Bruce Power Environmental Learning Classroom Building, the mural was featured from November to January in WiARTon’s art district.
In the peaceful and natural surroundings of the BOEC, the mural will act as a reminder to student visitors, now and in the future, of the impact we have, both positive and negative, on the world around us. The mural’s resonating message is that each of us, with effort, can help support these species and their biodiverse ecosystems for generations to come.
As they finish Grade 12 and begin postsecondary, Leo, Reece, and Scarlett are thrilled at the chance to help interest another generation in the arts and climate awareness through the lasting imprint now proudly displayed on the BOEC wall.
Submitted by the Bluewater District School Board
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