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 six Early Childhood Centres throughout Otago are part of the Enviroschools programme, and the number is growing

What we do

ORC works with schools and community groups to support the nationwide Enviroschools programme in the Otago region. We help coordinate the programme to make sure that schools have the resources they need to build sustainable communities. Just a few of the ways we do this include:

• Going into schools and helping them set up environmental programmes that suit their community
• Sharing knowledge and resources with teachers that enable them to connect environmental lessons with the local area
• Providing education on plant identification, water quality and testing, as well as the insects and wildlife which keep our environment healthy
• Encourage ideas that help build a healthy school environment, like building bug hotels in the playground, or planting within school grounds to suit the area