Schools living sustainably to win grant

Landcare Australia and local electricity distributor Jemena are inviting schools in north-west Melbourne to apply for a $1000 grant to improve their environmental sustainability.

To be in the running to win one of three $1000 prizes, primary and secondary schools are asked to share, in less than 500 words, how they would ‘Live. Grow. Explore’ environmental sustainability.

Schools may be looking to improve how they live in an environmentally sustainable way by replacing light globes throughout the school or increasing biodiversity in the yard by tree planting. They may be looking to grow environmental sustainability by extending their vegetable garden. Or they may like to explore environmental sustainability by undertaking an excursion to learn more about sustainable practices.

The competition celebrates the free ‘Live. Grow. Explore. Community Day’ to be held at Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale, on Sunday 24 March from noon-3.30 pm. The school competition winners will be announced live on stage during the afternoon.

Hosted by Landcare Australia with the support of its partner Jemena, the community event includes a free bush tucker BBQ and free native plants to take home.

Children will be kept entertained with free face painting and will meet new furry friends at the live native animal display. They will also have the opportunity to explore the park on a bike, walk the many trails and relax in the park and listen to the live music.

Landcare Australia Partnerships Manager Amy Gillett said: “It will be a great event to better understand what simple things you can do to get involved in landcare, whilst meeting new people, having fun and doing fantastic things for the local environment.”

For more details of the event and competition, visit www.landcareonline.com.au/volunteer/freecommunityday.