Council Environmental Education Officer Susan Karels says 15 Northland schools are being funded for a range of 17 diverse projects this year.
Mrs Karels says the annual awards aim to foster excellence in environmental education, with schools eligible for up to $2000 each (plus GST) for their efforts to educate children “in, about and for” the region’s environment.
Applicants had sought $29,341.32 this year – twice the $15,000 available.
“This year’s 15 recipients will receive amounts between $200 and $1800 each (plus GST) for their projects. Once again, this year’s projects were impressive; both in their scope and their quality. Especially pleasing is the increasing role that students are playing in planning and designing these projects.”
Mrs Karels says five of the winning schools are based in the Far North District, eight in Whangarei District and two from the Kaipara.
She says the awards aim to encourage these schools and their communities to actively participate in efforts to improve their environment in a sustainable manner.
Participants this year range from new entrants through to Year 13 (Form Seven) pupils, along with teachers, principals, boards of trustees and wider school communities.
The winning schools and their GST-exclusive projects are:
Far North
Pukenui School
Project: Native Plant Propagation – Erosion Control
Funding: $1538.30
Contact: Lyn Parkes or Sally Loibl
This project aims to plant native trees to stabilise a steep slope and attract native birds.
Ahipara School
Project: Native Birds – Bird Feeders
Funding: $200.44
Contact: Meghan Percival
This project aims to attract native birds to their schoolgrounds.
Okaihau College
Project: Quiet Area - Garden
Funding: $679.32
Contact: Lynne Couling-Brown
This project aims to plant native trees in a design depicting Okaihau flora and fauna.
Umawera School
Project: Nasty Noise
Funding: $1443.88
Contact: Christine Gilmore
This project aims to combat noise and air pollution.
Te Kura Taumata o Panguru
Project: Whakarapa Awa – Our River, Once a Village
Funding: $1233.78
Contact: Mina Pomare-Peita
This project aims to care for their local river.
Whangarei
Poroti School
Project: Waste Disposal – Composting at Poroti
Funding: $420.93
Contact: Moira McKay
This project aims to reduce and re-use school waste.
Onerahi School
Projects (2): Native Bush Area and Growth
Funding: $702.87
Contact: Karen Clearwater
These projects will see the school extending their native bush area and growing and caring for plants
Kamo Christian College
Projects (2): Wai Hou (Aquanova – New Water) and Wahi Hirahira (Our Sanctuary)
Funding: $1398.80
Contact: Jeni Walsh
These projects aim to improve water quality and plant trees to attract native fauna.
Hukerenui School
Project: Sustainable Orchard
Funding: $416.20
Contact: Stephanie Williams
This project will involve planning, planting and managing an orchard using environmentally-friendly practices.
Whangaruru School
Project: What a Waste!
Funding: $1799.66
Contact: Justin Smith
This project is designed to reduce, re-use and recycle waste.
Whangarei Heads School
Project: Fern Valley
Funding: $1205.84
Contact: Mandy Probert
This project aims to extend a native bush community.
Otaika School
Project: Making Our Beautiful Place
Funding: $903.25
Contact: Jill Jones
This project involves extending native plantings.
Mangakahia Area School
Project: Fostering Education for Sustainability in Our School
Funding: $928.89
Contact: Elyne Semenoff
This programme involves setting up worm farms and planting a native shelter belt.
Kaipara
Tangiteroria School
Project: Shrinking Waste
Funding: $627.84
Contact: Braden Eades
This project aims to reduce waste and set up a worm farm.
Tangowahine School
Project: Te Mahinga Motuhake (The Magic Garden)
Funding: $1500
Contact: Shelley Gosse
This project aims to replicate an ancient local ecosystem.