Programmes

Enviroschools

The kaupapa of the Enviroschools Programme is about the well-being of the whole school, community and eco system.

Students and schools that are working towards sustainablity play a significant role in creating sustainable communities by:

Role modeling sustainable practices
Enabling students to be teachers among their families and peers;
Creating future leaders who understand how to make informed decisions and take action.

Early childhood centres, kura, primary, intermediate and secondary schools are all part of the Enviroschools network.

Integrating education for sustainability into the whole of school life creates learning opportunities and a range of benefits.

These benefits include environmental improvement, a reduction in anti-social behaviour, youth leadership, increased involvement of communities and knowledge about a range of sustainability issues.

There are five steps to becoming an Enviroschool.

When your school becomes an Enviroschool you receive the support and guidance of our environmental educator Natasha de Rose who will visit your school regularly.

There are also opportunities to share and learn from other Enviroschools in a supportive workshop environment. Cluster workshops are held regularly.

Enviroschool Levels

The Enviroschools levels are available to all active Enviroschools. The programme is designed to encourage schools to reflect on their route towards sustainability, celebrate success and identify areas for future development. This involves the whole school - students, teachers, non-teaching staff, board of trustees - and the local community such as parents, local councils and businesses.

There are three levels that recognise a schools progression towards becoming more sustainable:

Green-Gold - the top level requiring a commitment to continuous improvement towards sustainability
Silver
Bronze – the first step in the process.

Participation in the Enviroschools levels is optional and can begin at any time of the year.

Enviroschools eager to participate in the levels should contact their local facilitator or the Regional Coordinator. Schools should allow at least one full term for the process and plan for the participation of students, staff and community.

Check out the national Enviroschools website www.enviroschools.org.nz for more information, or contact us to find out if it’s the right programme for your school.

Trees for Survival

Trees for Survival provides students with the experience of growing native seedlings, planting them out and helping them become established.

Schools are involved in organising students to care for the plants, communicating with their community supporters, and teaching student about their local environment.

The benefits of growing and planting trees include:

controlling soil erosion
protecting water quality
providing habitat for native birds, and other plants and animals
beautifying our environment
removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Trees for Survival is a partnership between:

schools and school children who grow and plant native trees
service clubs/sponsors providing support and funding assistance to schools
regional councils who coordinate Trees for Survival resources

Check out the national Trees for Survival website www.tfsnz.org.nz

Waiora Programme - a local stream focus

Horizons Regional Council’s Waiora programme is a hands on journey into our Region’s many water sources and their impact on our lives.

It comes from the sky, drips from our taps and flows down our rivers but what do we really know about our Region’s fresh water? Horizons’ Waiora programme acknowledges water as a precious resource, one to be cared for and celebrated, and provides a hands on journey for students to discover the characteristics of our waterways. Through the Waiora programme your students will:

• Learn about the way rivers and people depend on each other through activities linked to the national curriculum;

• Enjoy a positive, fun experience on the banks of a local stream with Horizons’ environmental educator;

• See and touch a stream, discover its physical makeup and the life it supports;

• Take part in monitoring and streamside restoration projects.

Taking part in the Waiora programme provides the opportunity for your class to experience an unique guided stream visit with Horizons’ environmental educator Natasha de Rose and access to additional learning resources. Each visit is tailored to meet the specific needs of your class and all equipment is provided.

If you are interested in signing up your class for the Waiora programme or would like more information about what the Waiora programme has to offer please do not hesitate to contact Natasha on 021 2277 209 or Natasha.deRose@horizons.govt.nz.