Kyabram students go green
Kyabram schools and early learning centres are set to receive $1000 each from Woolworths through the supermarket giant’s Junior Landcare Grants.
The money will go to develop projects that focus on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices or enhancing native habitats.
“Educating young Kyabram kids on how we can grow a greener future through handson learning is an incredible way to make an impact for future generations, and help our local communities today,”
Woolworths Victorian state manager Sarah Gooding said.
“The life-long skills that these young students will gain helps to plant the seeds for a more sustainable and environmental future.”
Landcare Australia chief executive Dr Shane Norrish said the goal was to “encourage, influence and educate students on how to care for their local environment in a hands-on way”.
“The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants help grow students' understanding of the importance of caring for the Kyabram environment, beginning in their own school or early learning centre,” he said.
“To date the program has seen more than 110,000 fruit, vegetable and herb plants added to school gardens
across the country. Through taking part, students learn new skills and knowledge such as composting, worm farming and planting bush tucker gardens, as well as an increased awareness of sustainability issues.”
Early Childhood Australia chief executive Samantha Page said early childhood education and care played an important role in sustainability.
“By participating in handson learning experiences such as setting up recycling programs, growing veggies or plants and exploring local animal habitats, Kyabram children learn to explore, appreciate and care for the environment around them,” she said.
“The first five years of life sets the foundation for lifelong learning and the earlier we educate children about the importance of sustainability, the better chance we have of a more sustainable future for our regional community.”
The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program has been funded via the sale of Woolworths’ Bag for Good.
Bag for Good was launched in 2018, when Woolworths went single-use plastic bag free.
To date, Woolworths has contributed more than $3 million to a total of 2760 primary schools and early learning centres across Australia.