On Thursday October 22^nd, 2009 over 130 students and teachers representing nearly every school in the ALCDSB assembled in the cafetorium at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School in Kingston for the second Best Foot Forward Conference. This student-led conference on school sustainability featured workshops about energy conservation, waste minimization, and the Ontario EcoSchools program.

The St. Margeurite Bourgeoys eco-team presented a video about zero-waste possibilites in a school, while the RND improv team got the delegates laughing and moving through an environmental improv workshop. The keynote speaker, Mr. Craig Frayne spoke about the environmental impacts associated with the production of a simple t-shirt, bringing the delegates to a greater appreciation for the environmental consequences of the decisions that we make in our daily lives. The day finished with the draws for some great door prizes, followed by sharing of ideas from our certified Ontario EcoSchools. All of the conference delegates went away with enthusiastic plans and great ideas to help their schools on the journey towards sustainability.

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School in Kingston hosted the first ever Best Foot Forward Student Conference on the Environment. The St. Marguerite Eco-Club and Green Team from Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School facilitated the event.

This day-long event brought together students from across ALCDSB to visit the school that currently holds a Gold Certification from Ontario EcoSchools. Ontario's Minister for the Environment, the Honourable John Gerretsen provided a welcoming address to the assembled students, educators and guests. The conference delegates rotated through four workshops: Energy Conservation; School Ground Greening; Becoming an Eco-School and Waste Minimization. Members of Ottawa's The Otesha Project provided a thought-provoking keynote address.