“Catalysts for change” – Enviroschools photo and story opportunities

Making kōwhai seed “bombs” for planting, learning how to keep on top of pests and being empowered to share their action. These are just some of the benefits Waikato children report from participation in Enviroschools.

This hugely popular programme now involves more than 130 schools, as well as partnering with kindergarten associations in the region.

Enviroschools involves developing children’s ability to be “catalysts for change” on the environmental protection front.

Coordinated regionally by Waikato Regional Council and facilitated with support from government agencies and community groups, the programme will this month host three special events in southern, central and north-east Waikato.

The events will celebrate what children have done on the programmes this year and provide further opportunities for learning through workshops and presentations run by students and community experts.

The three events are scheduled for Taupō (six local schools on 12 September), Karāpiro (28 local schools on 19 September) and the Pukorokoro-Miranda shorebird sanctuary (12 local schools on 26 September).

The Karāpiro event will go ahead regardless of weather. But if weather is wet the Taupō event will be postponed to 14 September, while the Pukorokoro-Miranda event will be on 28 September.

The first two events will largely be indoor based, while the Pukorokoro-Miranda event is due to involve children doing outdoor environmental monitoring in sections of the coastal environment.

Media are very welcome to attend to do stories on the events and the Enviroschools programme.

Photographers are also welcome but pictures will need to be taken in liaison with event organisers to ensure children are not identified without permission.

The key contact for media before the events and on the days is the regional council’s schools programme coordinator Ruairi Kelly on 07 859 0726 or 021 307 323. Ruairi will be able to help with photographing permissions.

The venues and scheduled times are:

• Taupō – 9.20am-2.15pm at Wairakei Thermal Park

• Karāpiro – 9.20am-2.15pm at Don Rowlands Centre

• Pukorokoro-Miranda – 9.20am-2.15pm at Pukorokoro-Miranda Shorebird Centre

Enviroschools background information

• Enviroschools is an innovative, nationally recognised programme which supports and empowers students to plan, design and implement environmental sustainability actions important to them and their communities.

• It helps participants become leaders in community environmental protection and act as “catalysts for change”.

• The programme in the Waikato has grown to involve more than 130 urban and rural schools from throughout the region, with thousands of pupils involved.

• It partners with over 40 early childhood education centres and kindergartens from the Waikato Kindergarten and Central Kids Kindergarten associations.

• They are supported by the regional council, central government agencies and community groups.

• Enviroschools fits with central government initiatives aimed at getting groups working together to improve environmental outcomes.

• Visit www.enviroschools.org.nz for more information.

ENDS

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