Schools across Australia are being urged to get involved in the Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants program. 
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants are available to help schools across the nation undertake vital environmental projects.  Junior Landcare is one of Australia’s biggest ever youth environmental education programs – over 100,000 children are now involved and already over $800,000 has been handed out in grants.

Schools across Australia are being urged to apply for a grant to the highly successful Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants program.

Grants are available to help schools undertake important local environmental projects.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars are available annually to schools through the program. 

Organisers say any school across Australia can apply for a grant to tackle a local environmental initiative at their school. 

The initiative is one of Australia’s biggest ever environmental education programs.  Over 100,000 children across Australia are now involved with Junior Landcare.  Already over $800,000 has been handed out in grants through Junior Landcare.  Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants ambassador Cathy Freeman and Young Australian of the Year Arron Wood are backing the Junior Landcare Grants program which is a partnership between Landcare Australia and Mitre 10. 

Cathy Freeman says it’s vital schools across Australia consider getting involved in the program because it can make such a huge difference and is a great example of people power.  Mitre 10 alone has currently helped distribute over $600,000 in funds and over 1,000 grants.

Cathy Freeman said, “School kids everywhere know just how important it is to help the environment.  This program is a great help to schools who might not be able to afford to get students involved in an environmental project. What it means is that kids who have learnt about the environment can put what they have learnt into practice.”

Schools around the nation have already carried out an amazing range of projects through the Junior Landcare program including stabilising riverbanks, improving wetlands, revegetation projects, helping redirect stormwater from schools into wetlands, collecting and propagating native seeds and planting indigenous trees. 

Schools wanting more information about how to apply for a Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grant should visit either www.juniorlandcare.com or www.mitre10.com.au.  Alternatively schools can ring Landcare Australia on 1800 151 105.

Cathy Freeman said, “In many ways this is Australia’s biggest environmental project ever.  Hundreds of grants are allocated through this program.  Most are expected to have a value of up to $500.  We’re looking for schools who want to involve the school or broader local community and have projects that are well planned and have a determined educational outcome with an environmental focus.”

Landcare Australia’s Chief Executive Brian Scarsbrick said, “Landcare started in May 1988.  Schools have been involved since its inception. Junior Landcare recognises the simple fact that the contribution of young people is absolutely vital if the land they are to inherit is to be in the best possible condition.”

“Junior Landcare encourages young people to play a highly active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment.  Part of its success is the fact that Landcare activities can easily be successfully integrated into a broad range of topics in the school’s curriculum … or they can become a part of scout or youth group activities.”
“Kids learn so much – and as they take action it’s a reminder that when we make a difference, we feel good and proud that we are helping the environment.  Junior Landcare gets kids to develop a real sense of social responsibility for our precious land and water resources.”

Arron Wood has had an extraordinary career.  He was chosen as The Young Australian of the Year in 2001 and he founded and runs the international River Health conference which uses hands on learning to teach kids to respect the environment.  Arron Wood said, “Junior Landcare is fantastic because life is too short to let opportunities pass you by.  We all need to make a difference.  I’m from the country and feel it’s really important to connect to the environment.  Young people are our future.  I want to see lots of schools getting involved because kids learn so much through environmental projects.”

Mitre 10 spokesperson, Julia Oxley said, “By involving Australian youth in helping to improve the environment, we will be able to make a difference to our planet which is obviously a home for all of us.  We are delighted to support the Landcare cause and we’re passionate about it.  Over 1,000 grants have already been distributed by Mitre 10 and it’s remarkable to see what’s happened out there as a result.”

Cathy Freeman added, “It’s easy to get involved with the Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants Program.  Take action.  Identify a local issue and decide how your school can tackle it.  Schools can either develop their own Landcare project or join forces with an existing group.  Schools might want to design a project to restore a degraded part of the environment.  Think small and work on something that can be achieved within the school year.”

“Whether it’s removing weeds and rubbish, planting trees or regenerating the bush, every little bit helps.  Get the local community involved.  Get in touch with your local Landcare group.  There are thousands across Australia.  Discuss how your group can work together to achieve the goal.  What the program is all about is children getting together with teachers and the community to tackle problems head on.”

The major new Landcare Australia website has extensive information about how to apply for a Junior Landcare grant as well as numerous case studies of people who have already received grants.  Just visit www.juniorlandcare.com.

www.landcareonline.com