Queensland's First Accredited Environmental Education Centre

Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre, located in the Gold Coast hinterland, has been awarded a 5-star Cleaner Greener Schools rating by the environmental movement Keep Queensland Beautiful.

Numinbah Valley is the first-ever Environmental Education Centre to receive the accolade.

Cleaner Greener Schools is an environmental sustainability accreditation and awards program for education institutions in Queensland.

Accreditation provides an opportunity for schools to be recognised for their clean, green, and sustainable actions through six key focus areas: Litter, Waste, Recycling, Water, Energy, and Biodiversity.

"Going above and beyond"

"Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre is going above and beyond what other EECs we've visited are achieving," said David Curtin, Chief Executive at Keep Queensland Beautiful.

At the unveiling of the recognition signage, Curtin also spoke about the areas of sustainability where the centre excelled and impressed the judges.

"All staff continue to embed our First Nations peoples and cultures throughout the centre, with flags flying proudly alongside signage at the entrance acknowledging the traditional owners of the land. Native plantings and a bush tucker garden with interpretive signage, along with Indigenous artwork adorning the walls of the indoor learning space, all contribute to this commitment.

"The unique solar energy USB charging station, developed in partnership with Substation33, is the first of its kind in Queensland that we've seen. As a portable structure, it can be used for school incursions and outdoor events.

"The entire centre is now powered by solar energy with battery storage, so the school is basically 'off the grid.'

"Visiting students from across South-East Queensland are engaged in on-site waste reduction through composting systems and a worm farm, with the outputs used in the gardens to grow fresh produce.

"Nesting boxes can be spotted around the campus, helping build a natural wildlife corridor in a semi-urban environment."

Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre Principal, Kalindi Brennan, was excited to be the first Environmental Education Centre awarded a 5-star rating in Queensland.

"We are thrilled to have been recognised for the sustainability practices visible across our site and woven into learning activities and programs for students from pre-Prep to Year 12.

"Students are invited to be environmental champions and custodians of Country while engaging with our programs. We hope that all students leave our centre inspired and equipped with everyday sustainability skills they can apply to positively impact their own local environment.

"We are also proud of our work in the community with mentors, partners, and stakeholders. Our P&C hosts monthly community tree-planting events as part of regeneration and biodiversity projects to restore natural habitats in Numinbah Valley.

"We are keen to be ambassadors for Keep Queensland Beautiful and support other schools to engage with the Cleaner Greener Schools program."

Visit the Cleaner Greener Schools profile