Today the Government announced a $7.6 million investment in The Enviroschools Foundation to continue the successful Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa initiatives.  During a ceremony at Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Kohanga Reo o Te Awakairangi in Lower Hutt, Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples and Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams announced the package.

This follows the November 2011 Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement signed between the National Party and the Māori Party, which included reinstatement of Central Government funding to The Enviroschools Foundation. 

Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa are innovative nationwide initiatives where children and young people work with their centres, schools, kura and communities to plan, design and create healthier more sustainable lifestyles.  825 schools, kura and early childhood centres across New Zealand are now part of this growing network, as well as an increasing number of post-school youth.

Heidi Mardon, National Director of The Enviroschools Foundation comments: “We are delighted with the Budget decision.  Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa support a wide range of government objectives. An initiative this size needs multiple partners, including Central Government, Local Government, business and community organisations.”

Tens of thousands of young New Zealanders are now taking action on real-life projects as part of curriculum-linked learning through Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa.“

WWF New Zealand's Education Programme Manager, Wendy Barry, said: “We congratulate the Maori Party for negotiating support for such a successful and important programme.

“Environmental education empowers and inspires young people to live within the planet’s limited resources. It gives children a greater understanding of the way people’s lives impact upon the local environment and the planet.

“Enviroschools is more than what is taught and learnt in the classroom, it encourages communities to value our natural heritage and take action to protect it. >Read more here

Northland Regional Council launched the Northland pilot of the national Enviroschools in the Early Years programme last week.

The expo that was held was a huge success as many other organisations come together to give very young Northlanders a chance to connect with the environment and community.

The kids had a ball at the expo >read more here

Thanks to all who came and celebrated our 10th birthday with us in Hamilton (Wednesday 18th Jan).
We had a wonderful night with friends, family, regional and national partners. It was fabulous to share our journey over the past ten years (or more!) and we all look forward to the next ten.

Read about what Associate Education Minister and Māori Party Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples said about the night here

 A fun night was had by The Enviroschools Foundation Board and the National team in December as they celebrated the actual 10th birthday of the Programme and partnership with Te Mauri Tau!

Eighteen enviroschools in Auckland are to be honoured for their long-term commitment to sustainability. Read more about this wonderful achievement here

Two enviroschools in Wellington receive accolades in the Encore Awards for environmental leadership and sustainability  >read more!

Deep inquiry and real innovation is what Hillcrest Normal and Rhode Street Schools' have shown along their enviroschools journey. Both schools have made remarkable commitments to sustainability and will be awarded Green-Gold status this week >read more!

Burnside Primary School's bronze reflection success has been recognised at a ceremony in Christchurch >read more here!

Opoho Primary School in Otago is celebrating after being recognised as a Green-Gold enviroschool. Visitors to the school were so impressed with the understanding and implementation of sustainable practices, and the commitment of everyone in the school to growing their vision for Opoho School. Be inspired and read more! 

By Mani Dunlop of Storyboard.co.nz

Lyttleton School opened its doors to Mani Dunlop of storyboard.co.nz so she could see the Enviroschools programme in action!

Having your say!

A video made by Northland secondary enviroschools students as part of the ReGeneration Youth Jam, is making waves on the internet! Having a voice in Northland and how to contribute to Council policies is the kaupapa of this video, check it out and be inspired!

Regional Councils around New Zealand are now consulting on their Regional Policy Statements and want to know what youth, family and friends, and community think and feel about the management of resources and development activities. 

To find out more about how you can have a say in Northland's Regional Policy Statement process visit www.nrc.govt.nz/newrps 
or check out your own Regional Council website by linking through the 'In Your Region' page. 

Find out more about ReGeneration here!

Helping schools to reduce energy use and costs

NERI (National Energy Research Institute) has put together a webguide in partnership with The Enviroschools Foundation and ECCA, funded by the Ministry of Education.  

It is aimed at schools in order to help them improve energy efficiency, move towards sustainability and model good energy efficiency practice. 

For more information about this webguide and to download templates for monitoring and surveying and case studies that show how some schools have implemented energy efficiency techniques, visit www.neri.co.nz/education/energy_efficient_schools 

To download a copy of the resource click here

Showcasing stories about our natural environment and resources

Landcare Research has just launched a new website called 'OurFuture'.  

The interactive website geo-tags environmental projects and research onto Google Earth so you can find out who is doing what in your community, region and country!

The Enviroschools Foundation along with a number of other organisations (WWF, DOC, Hikurangi Foundation, Forest and Bird, Bush Telly and QEII Trust) have been asked to contribute stories to help build the pool of knowledge about what's happening in New Zealand. 

To check out this great website visit www.ourfuture.net.nz