$20,000 schools’ Environmental Curriculum Awards open

Schools are being urged to act quickly to try to win a share of this year’s $20,000 Northland Regional Council Environmental Curriculum Awards.

Rawene School students with their new worm farm, part of a developing school composting programme – one of 21 Environmental Education projects in 19 schools recognised with a Northland Regional Council 2010 Environmental Curriculum Award.

Council Environmental Education Officer Susan Botting says schools have until Tuesday 17 May to apply for funding via the awards, which aim to boost environmental education in the North.

Ms Botting says the council recently sent fliers to 150 Northland schools alerting them to the awards.

“Each school can apply for a maximum $2000 in Environmental Curriculum Awards’ funding, which must be spent on school-based environmental education projects.’’

“Although the 17 May deadline is some time away, schools are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible as this helps us avoid a last minute rush that can slow application processing times.”

Ms Botting says last year 19 Northland schools were funded for schoolground projects ranging from honey harvesting to a bush-based learning platform and tackling exotic pest plants.

She says applicants need to show how their schools are putting effort into sustainably managing Northland’s natural and physical resources, which is a key regional council goal.

Application forms can be downloaded from the council’s website via www.nrc.govt.nz/eca The website also includes details of previous awards winners and their projects.

Completed applications should be sent to the council’s main office – Private Bag 9021, Whangarei Mail Centre, Whangarei 0148 - by 5pm Tuesday 17 May.