Environment

Council's Eco-Active Schools Program is an environmental sustainability grants program tailored specifically to schools within the Blacktown Local Government Area. The Program provides funding of $30,000 for schools to undertake environmental sustainability improvement projects.

The 2010 program focuses on food sustainability, in particular kitchen gardens. The aim was to assist schools to grow food locally and make more environmentally sustainable food choices.

Council recently called for applications for the 2010 Eco-Active Schools Program, with grants of $1000 plus GST per school available. Applications closed on 12 March 2010, and 21 applications were received from schools.

The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) have come on board as a partner to the program and will provide ongoing support and advice. The DECCW have provided funding for the successful schools to attend a one day professional learning workshop. The workshop focused on processes for engaging students in the planning and design of school kitchen gardens.

The schools that are recipients of the 2010 Growing Our Schools Grant are:

• Marsden Park Public School
• Halinda School
• Eastern Creek Public School
• Holy Cross Primary School
• Kellyville Ridge Public School
• Doonside Technology High School
• Blacktown Youth College
• Australian Islamic College of Sydney
• Layola Senior High School
• Mountain View Adventist College
• Lethbridge Park Public School
• Schofields Public School
• Vardys Road Public School
• Rooty Hill High School
• Plumpton High School
• Crawford Public School
• William Rose School
• Blacktown Girls High School
• Willmot Public School
• Chifley College
• Mount Druitt Public School

For further information on the Growing Our Schools Program, please call Council's Environmental Education Officer on 9839 6131.