Council and EcoMarines seek interest from schools to be environmental champions

An exciting, educational and innovative environmental education program is hoping to expand to more schools following a successful pilot on Redlands Coast thanks to a partnership between Redland City Council and Tangalooma EcoMarines.

Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams said Council partnered last year with EcoMarines, a not-for-profit organisation, for the pilot program to educate young people on the impacts of everyday environmental activities such as waste reduction, recycling and on local catchments and river systems that feed into marine environments.

“The EcoMarines program is an important initiative which has proven successful with local schools in building awareness and engagement with the next generation, while also aligning them with the suite of environmental educational programs Council offers to early childhood and school groups,” said Cr Williams.

“The pilot program has been successful with the five schools in which it’s been implemented and we’ve seen really tangible outcomes in the education of students about the negative effects of litter on our marine/aquatic environments and reducing the amount of waste in high traffic areas in schools.

“We know that schools have a heightened awareness of the environment and want to learn more about smart ways to care for our precious Redlands Coast. EcoMarines is proving to be a terrific way to inform and educate through a range of fun activities where each school has a number of Ambassadors who show leadership in the program for the school and their classmates.

“EcoMarines has been very helpful in supporting Council’s awareness across the broader community of our efforts to reduce waste and increase the recycling and also to align with the environmental messages in caring for our waterways and environmental areas.

“The project team is looking for a larger army of environmental champions as we seek expressions of interest from new schools  to ensure we have enough ongoing interest to support the program in 2023.”

The next phase aims to expand it from five schools to 13 in 2023, with Cleveland State School, Dunwich State School, Macleay Island State School, Victoria Point State School and Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School involved in the pilot.

Three-quarters of teachers at the participating schools said they witnessed change with schools addressing recycling issues and addressing litter reduction.

“I think the EcoMarines program is a wonderful way to develop confidence and leadership in students as well as give purpose and direction for school initiatives to promote sustainability, “ said Anne Austin, EcoMarines teacher at Victoria Point State School.

“Good practices and habits begin early. Networking with other schools is also highly motivating.”

EcoMarines General Manager Penny Limbach said with the pilot program having been embraced by five schools across the Redland Coast, there was a fantastic opportunity to build upon the success and continue to foster future environmental leaders and positive behaviour change in the community.

“We are excited to be working with Redland City Council to, ideally bring more Redlands Coast schools into the Tangalooma EcoMarines program,” Ms Limbach said.

“With the City’s help, more school students from across the region will, ideally, now step up and take a strong role in protecting the local marine and wildlife through our conservation leadership programs.”

Schools wishing to submit an Expression of Interest should do so by June 24. You can email EcoMarines direct at [email protected]