Supporting School Projects
Supporting School Projects
Helping begin new environment projects by providing advice, on the ground assistance and connecting schools with environmental education resources and networks.
Capacity to Deliver -
LP042-001
The issue
Schools in the Hawkesbury and Hills often want to start environmental projects - they have an idea of the outcome they want such as a Wildlife Garden, but they aren't sure of what steps they need to take to achieve it. This often happens when new teachers commence who are interested in environmental initiatives or when teachers who were leading environmental projects leave. Teachers also told us that often when they start to research their project, the amount of information available can be overwhelming and they don’t know what to focus on.
The solution
The Local Landcare Coordinator attended meetings for environmental education school networks that schools in Hawkesbury and Hills may be part of, such as Schools Green Network (Hills Shire) and Penrith Hills Environment Education Network (PHEEN), to introduce themselves to local teachers and offer assistance. It also gave the LLC an opportunity to listen to the kinds of projects that schools have done, are doing and are interested in to learn more about the environmental education landscape. The LLC also spoke to the Environmental Education Officers at the Hills Shire and Hawkesbury City Council. As part of this the LLC developed a fact sheet containing links on possible projects.
The impact
After the Schools Green Network meeting, Hills Montessorri Preschool requested assistance on how to build their Wildlife Garden. They had received a grant for this but did not know where to start, what plants to choose or what animal habitat they could include. A site visit was arranged to discuss the project and the result was a clear plan, a species list with local natives and species that will suit the schools needs such as bush tucker, sensory plants and shade providing plants. The school request the LLC help with initial planting, demonstrating how to plant properly to the teachers and preschool children. The first plants have gone in and now we wait to watch them grow! The School plans to provide habitat through lizard shelters and nest boxes once their plants grow.
"It was important to have someone who could relate to the children and guide them in the process."- Hills Montesorri Outdoor Directress.
Key facts
- Unused grass areas in schools have potential for small wildlife gardens
- It is important to get children involved from a young age - kids love digging, watering holes, watering plants and caring for them.
- The LLC is assisting schools to embark on environmental education projects and has developed a factsheet with links to possible projects.