LITTER IN QUEENSLAND
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 school rating by environmental movement, Keep Queensland Beautiful.
Friday, March 4, 2022
The first ever Environmental Education Centre to receive the accolade.
Cleaner Greener Schools is an environmental sustainability 'accreditation' recognition platform and 'awards' program for education institutions in Queensland.
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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.
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At the unveiling of the recognition signage, David Curtin also spoke about the areas of sustainability (that the centre excelled in) that impressed the judges.
"All staff continue to embed our First Nation's peoples and cultures throughout the centre, with the flags flying proudly alongside signage at the entrance acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, native plantings and bush tucker garde with interpretive signage, and the indigenous artwork adorns the walls of t he indoor learning space.
"The unique solar energy USB charging station in partnership with Substation33 is the first of its kind in Queensland that we've seen, and as it is 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".
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"Visiting students from across South East Queensland are engaged in waste reduction on site in the composting system and worm warm - then used in the gardens to grow fresh produce.
"Nesting boxes can be spotted around the campus, building a natural wildlife corridor in a semi-urban environment.
Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre Principal, Kalindi Brennan was excited to be the first ever Environmental Education Centre awarded a 5-star rating in Queensland.
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"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.
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"We are keen to be ambassadors for Keep Queensland Beautiful, and support other schools to engage with the Cleaner Greener Schools program."
