Enviroschools help create the environmental leaders of the future

For immediate release: Friday 12 August 2005

Kindergartens in the Bay of Plenty are now able to sign up to a fast-expanding initiative, which will help create the environmental leaders of the future.

Over the past three years, about 6000 students in 20 of the region’s primary, intermediate and high schools have joined the Enviroschools programme, which is run regionally by Environment Bay of Plenty.

On Monday 15 August, when applications open for next year’s intake, regional coordinator Esther Mae plans to sign up 10 more schools – including, for the first time, a kindergarten or two. It will be great to cover a wider range of ages, from pre-school to secondary level, she says. “It opens up the exciting possibility for a child being able to attend an Enviroschool all the way through,” she says.

Enviroschools take a whole school approach to environmental education, with students deeply involved in the process. The aim is to create “a generation of innovative and motivated young people who instinctively think and act sustainably”. They can then become leaders for the environment, Ms Mae explains.

Bay of Plenty schools and kindergartens have until Friday 23 September to apply for the programme. However, more schools often apply than Environment Bay of Plenty can take on, so the selection team looks for those that are most actively passionate about environment education. A trained facilitator guides schools throughout the three-year process.

Enviroschools foster child-led learning. Rotorua’s Sunset Primary School students map out what they want for their school.

ENDS

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