Otago Regional Council coordinates the Enviroschools programme in Otago.

The kaupapa of Enviroschools is the well-being of the whole school, wider community and local ecosystem.

The aim is to foster a generation of young people who instinctively think and act sustainably.

A sustainable community is one that develops a healthy environment. An environment that we can continue to live in and enjoy for many generations. Students and schools work towards creating sustainable communities by:

• Role modelling sustainable practices
• Empowering students to be teachers among their families and peers
• Understanding what sustainability looks like
• Creating future leaders who know how to make informed decisions and take action

Over 80 schools and 12 Early Childhood Centres throughout Otago are part of the Enviroschools programme, and the number is growing.

Otago Regional Council supports the nationwide Enviroschools programme in the Otago region through the regional coordination of our partner councils and community groups delivering the mahi. Our regional coordination of this programme, through the Regional Coordinators, make sure that schools, community groups and our council partners have the resources they need for a vibrant and supportive regional Enviroschools network. Just a few of the ways we do this include:

• Coordinating and supporting facilitators going into schools and helping them set up environmental programmes that suit the schools and their community.
• Encouraging student-led action, embedded practice of Te Ao Māori and diverse perspectives as well as links to global environmental challenges.
• Local hui for both ākonga (students) and kaiako (teachers) to gain important professional development knowledge and skills that support environmental goals for their schools and across the region.
• Providing a central hub for regional knowledge, resources, education and ideas that help build a healthy school environment.
• Support for the holistic reflection of schools looking to pause and celebrate their sustainable journey thus far and look forward to their next steps.

Enviroschools is a programme that supports schools in their sustainable and environmental journeys and creates positive habits in tamariki and rangatahi that are beneficial to their communities. Through partnerships with community groups to educational resources, the Enviroschools team can support schools to take big ideas and turn them into reality.

If you are a school interested in being a part of the Enviroschools kaupapa, please email enviroschools@orc.govt.nz

If you are a teacher who wants more information about Enviroschools, please email our Regional Coordinator Lead leisa.deklerk@orc.govt.nz

If you are a member of the community that wants to get involved with Enviroschools, please get in touch with your local school for more ways you can support them.

If you'd like more information about the Enviroschools Programme visit the national Enviroschools website or contact our Regional Coordinator, Leisa de Klerk.

Email: enviroschools@orc.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 474 082

To stay up to date with Enviroschools Otago, like our Facebook page and follow us on our Instragram page enviroschools_otago.