Linked to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, Kreative Koalas provides an avenue for students to discover and learn about sustainability issues such as climate change, threatened species, healthy landscapes, affordable clean energy and food security. Participating schools will be supported to create a community project and to present their ideas as artwork on a giant fibreglass koala. The creative koala will then be entered in a regional art competition.

The 2018 program will involve ten schools, five primary and five secondary, and will be a collaboration between Picture You in Agriculture, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Lachlandcare and Southern Tablelands Arts.

“After a highly successful pilot in 2017 in Western Sydney and the Illawarra, we are very excited to bring this ground-breaking art, sustainability and education focussed program to rural students,” Picture You in Agriculture Director Lynne Strong said. “Students will learn about local, national and global sustainability issues through storytelling, research, creative arts and communication, and will develop intergenerational connections with people taking action in their local community.”

Mary Bonet from Lachlandcare believes Kreative Koalas will inspire and recruit the next generation of land carers. “Our children are the future of our land and Lachlandcare is excited to be part of this innovative education program, which is empowering schools to act on local sustainability challenges to create meaningful change locally and globally,” she said.

To submit an expression of interest for your school please contact Lynne Strong by email on headkoala@kreativekoalas.com.au

More information about the program can be found on the website: www.kreativekoalas.com.au