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Schools & Youth

In these days of approaching climate, energy, lifestyle and business challenges, we hope that the schools, teachers and students of the Scenic Rim Region will find this section of our website really useful. After all, school is a place where hopefully lots of learning and…

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Business

Human civilization has been trading and exchanging goods, services, ideas and innovation for tens of thousands of years. We’ve been in business one way or another for a long, long time. Business, enterprise and industry now has a major role to play in both reducing…

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Households

The heart of sustainability lives in our homes...the places where we raise our kids, restore ourselves, grow relationships and families, garden, create, dream, care for pets, play, cook, eat, sleep, shower and so much more. Sustainability in the home is about both eco-efficiency – behaviours…

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Community

The Scenic Rim is a region of villages. We are so fortunate to be based within a living landscape of forests, mountains, big blue sky, and rivers and creeks because each day we can see what underpins our lives, families and communities: clean air, clean water, good…

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Programs & Grants

National Solar Schools Program
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/programs-and-rebates/national-solar-schools.aspx

 

The program offers eligible primary and secondary schools grants of up to $50,000 or up to $100,000 for multi-campus schools (ex GST), to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficient measures including:
  • energy efficient lighting
  • skylights
  • ceiling fans
  • sensors
  • shade awnings
  • automatic doors
  • external window fittings (eg) double glazing and shutters

 

Solar and Energy Efficiency in Qld State Schools Program:
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/solar_schools_project.cfm

 

Solar panels and energy efficient lighting are being installed at all Queensland state schools over three years under a $60million program announced in June 2008. The program will introduce 2kws solar system into all state schools not already accessing solar power, energy efficient lighting and an IT energy monitoring package.

It is anticipated that the program, when fully implemented, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 63,000 tonnes annually.
As well as strengthening the solar industry, this initiative provides an opportunity for young people to learn about energy conservation and what they and their school communities can do to help to avert the production of green house gases through lower energy use.

 

Qld Renewable Energy Plan:
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/queensland_renewable_energy_plan.cfm

 

The Queensland Renewable Energy Plan is a comprehensive economic and industry development strategy aimed at accelerating the growth of the renewable energy sector in Queensland. The successful implementation of the Plan will help leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment, create up to 3,500 new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Plan is a bold industry development strategy that articulates the Australian Government's vision to achieve at least 20 per cent of investment generated through the national Renewable Energy Target. This will result in the generation of 9,000 gigawatt hours
(or approximately 2,500 megawatts) of Queensland based renewable energy by 2020.

The Queensland Government estimates that successful implementation of the Plan will help leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment, create up to 3,500 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 million tonnes by 2020.

Download the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan. (PDF - 2MB)

Download the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan Fact Sheet (PDF 153Kb)

 

EnergyWise Schools Program:
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/at_school.cfm

 

The Qld Government Office of Clean Energy, in partnership with the Qld Department of Education, Training and the Arts, has developed a $300,000 school based program to build energy efficiency and energy conservation into the curriculum and operations of Queensland schools. Through the EnergyWise Schools program, education facilitators from Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative (QESSI) regional Hubs are helping school communities to audit their energy use, plan energy saving activities and monitor the energy performance of their cluster schools. The EnergyWise Schools program build's on the Environmental Education for Sustainability process in schools.

 

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program:
http://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/index.shtml

 

The aim of the Kitchen Garden Program is pleasurable food education for young children. The underlying belief is that by introducing this holistic approach we have a chance to positively influence children’s food choices in ways that have not been tried before.

A Kitchen Garden is created to provide edible, aromatic and beautiful resources for a kitchen. The creation and care of a Kitchen Garden teaches children about the natural world, about its beauty and how to care for it, how best to use the resources we have, and an appreciation for how easy it is to bring joy and wellbeing into one’s life through growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, seasonal produce.

 


Curriculum
and
Classroom Resources

Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI):
http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/about.html

 

The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a partnership of the Australian Government, the States and Territories that seeks to support schools and their communities to become sustainable.

The AuSSI involves participants in a whole-of-school approach, to explore through real-life learning experiences, improvements in a school’s management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. It also addresses associated social and financial issues. The Initiative’s vision is for all Australian schools and their communities to be sustainable.

 

 

Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative (QESSI):
http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/environment/outdoor/aboutqessi.ht
ml

 

The mission of the Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative (QESSI) is to establish a network of environmentally sustainable schools that demonstrate curricula connections and environmental action based on ecological sustainable development principles. QESSI's vision is for all schools in Queensland to be Environmentally Sustainable Schools.

QESSI is not another program or product in a market place that is saturated with resources that focus on environmental education for a sustainable future for schools. What QESSI is aiming to do is build the capacity of existing service providers to achieve their goals.

 

Teachsustainability.com.au:
http://teachsustainability.com.au/

 

Gecko Educators
http://gecko.org.au/gecko-ed/

 

GeckoEd offers interactive field excursions and programs for schools and the community, using a head, heart, and hand approach. These can be delivered either at your school/community gathering, or within the Gold Coast’s beautiful environs, such as the forests, mountains, rivers, estuaries and dunes. Programs can be designed to align with Education Queensland’s curricula to suit Study of Society and Environment, Science, Geography, Biology, and others as requested. Contact Dominic Farnworth, ph: (07) 5534 1412, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text89376 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Wild Mountains Trust
http://www.wildmountains.org/home/

 

The Wild Mountains Trust is an independent, community focused, non-profit organisation providing leadership in environmental education and conservation. It is based in the Border Ranges near Rathdowney in the Scenic Rim Region. Contact Richard Zoomers, ph: (07) 5544 1377, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Education Queensland Environmental Education Centres
http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/environment/outdoor/

 

The Queensland State Government operates a number of environmental and outdoor education centres in South East Queensland.

These centres promote, develop provide and deliver outdoor and environmental education programs for schools and the community, and provide professional development for teachers. Education for a sustainable future and valuing biodiversity are key themes within O&EEC programs. All outdoor and environmental education programs are linked to the school curriculum, team building and leadership objectives. Strong links are fostered with local communities by providing information about environmental issues and serving as venues for community forums.

 

The Outlook Boonah
http://www.qorf.org.au

 

The Outlook is situated on the outskirts of Boonah approximately 70 minutes south-west of Brisbane and has been operating since 1979 as an experiential and adventure learning centre.
The Outlook is a Registered Training Organisation that also offers accommodation and conferencing facilities. The Outlook specialises in:
Training, resourcing and supporting community organisations and staff using adventure based learning
Short and long term developmental group- work with young people and adults using Adventure activities
Delivering accredited training to the Outdoor Recreation Industry in South East Queensland

Contact Terry O’Brien, phone: (07) 5463 1900, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Junk Orchestra

Information coming soon

 


Information & Fact Sheets

WaterWise at Home
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/waterwise/

 

Queensland's changing climate and continued population growth are putting unprecedented pressure on our water supplies. Learn how to minimise household water use to reduce the demand on our water storages.

The Waterwise fact sheets are designed to give you a few simple tips to help incorporate water-saving principles around your home.

As local water restrictions setting consumption targets lower than those indicated in these fact sheets may apply in your area (particularly in South East Queensland), check with your local council for details.

Being waterwise in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen (PDF, 102K)*
Being waterwise with your swimming pool and spa (PDF, 107K)*
Waterwise and rainwater tanks (PDF, 222K)*
Fix the leaks and slow the flow (PDF, 73K)*
Home waterwise quiz (PDF, 195K)*
Waterwise gardens (PDF, 89K)*
How to be Waterwise brochure (PDF, 490K)* (PDF, 490 kB) *

Waterwise gardening—learn how to be water efficient in the garden.
Queensland Health (PDF)* —information on appropriate uses for, and health risks associated with, water stored in rainwater tanks.

Energy Efficiency in the Home
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/energy/energy_efficiency_in_the_home/index.html

 

Follow the links below to Information Guides that will give you advice on building or retrofitting your home to achieve year round comfort and reduce your energy bills.

Energy Rating Guide to Choosing an Energy Efficient Appliance (Australian Government)
http://www.energyrating.gov.au/

 

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