Primary schools invited for slice of Enviro-Assist grants funding

3 February, 2015Posted in: Environment
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Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting the Shire’s primary schools to apply for a share in almost $8000 in grant funding to help raise awareness about the local environment.

Wingecarribee Mayor and Chair of Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Duncan Gair detailed the School Enviro-Assist grant funding program.

“Late last year wet weather unfortunately rained out Council’s annual Schools Environment Day which had been organised for the foreshores of Lake Alexandra,” he said. “Because of the cancellation, these funds have subsequently become available and the Environment and Sustainability Committee thought the best way to put the monies to good use would be to offer them to our primary schools.”

All up $7,700 is being offered in the one-off grants program.

Council’s Manager of Environment and Sustainability, Barry Arthur said for schools to apply, funds should be directed towards projects that promote sustainability or protect the environment.

“We want to see all our local primary schools come to us with some clever ideas on how to raise awareness about our environment or how they could make their playgrounds more sustainable,” he said.

“Some ideas may include building a vegetable or indigenous food garden, replacing old halogen bulbs with energy efficient LED lights, installing solar panels to run the kitchen oven or building a worm farm to compost the canteen waste.

“It may even be something as simple as taking the students on an educational bushwalk,” Mr Arthur added.

Linking projects to key learning outcomes from the NSW syllabus is also encouraged.

“Whatever the project or idea, it should demonstrate a link to our unique local environment and perhaps even better it,” Mr Arthur added.

“And fingers crossed the weather holds out for the return of our Schools Environment Day later this year!”

Applications close Wednesday 18 February 2015.

For more information, including project ideas, guidelines and an application form, visit Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/environment/environment-levy/schools-enviro-assist-grants