By Krista Siefken, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial, February 16, 2009

Mackenzie English practices her lines for the presentation to North Cowichan council. (Krista Siefken)

The eco-focused kids at Bench Elementary School don’t want to see the planet transformed into Wall-E’s flora-free Earth. That’s why they’re speaking with North Cowichan council about protecting Somenos Marsh. “The marsh’s greatest enemy is man,” the students chant together while practicing their presentation Monday morning. A group of almost two-dozen students — all members of the Make a Difference Club — will be taking the slideshow presentation to municipal councillors today. The students will also request North Cowichan monitor pollution levels — with results made public twice a year — and prohibit continued development on remaining marsh lands. “It can only take so much,” explain the students.

The marsh, which filters Cowichan’s water, is also home to huge numbers of wildlife.

The students — and many others — worry that without proper stewardship the marsh will drain and its wildlife die off.

“Do you want the world to end up like in the Wall-E movie?” the students ask.

The desolate landscape of the 2008 film is a far cry from what Somenos Marsh looks like, and the students aim to keep it that way.

“There’s lots of trees and wildlife, you can hear birds chirping everywhere,” said Grade 3 student Aleah Grymaloski.

“I liked being in the wild and seeing how animals live.”

“But if the plants (in the marsh) die, and the animals die, the cycle starts to break and that means the end of our food source,” added Grade 4 student Emily Wallich.

“Destroy (the marsh) and we’re nothing.”

And the students, who have also met with provincial and municipal politicians in the past to argue for a ban on plastic bags, say all the public speaking they do helps them build confidence and self-esteem.

“It’s helpful to get over the fear of talking to people,” said Grade 4 student Makenzie English. “It helps you stand up and talk when you usually aren’t able to.”

“This whole thing has made us better people,” added Wynn Rederburg, a Grade 4 student. “We’re more brave and courageous.”

And many of the students are quick to thank Bench teacher Debbie Smith, who organizers the Make a Difference Club, for giving them the opportunity to gain confidence and work toward a greener future.

“We’ve been doing this for four years and it’s been very exciting,” said Grade 5 student Isabella Kuta. “And I want to thank Ms. Smith for starting this wonderful group.”