Environment Education Programs

There are currently more than 80 schools and colleges in the Baulkham Hills Shire. A number of facilities are available for environmental education within the Shire which also offer programs and activities for students, teachers and the general community, including Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Annangrove Park Environment Centre, Glenorie Arts and Environment Centre, the Aboriginal Resource Centre and Bidjiwong Community Nursery in Ted Horwood Reserve.

In 2007, Baulkham Hills Shire Council is offering a new environmental education program for schools, for more information please click on the following links:

In-School Workshops

School based workshops will involve a one hour workshop conducted at your school on four areas of environmental education; including, biodiversity, water, waste and energy. The workshop can be adapted to cater for both primary and secondary students.

School Environment Days

Your local parks and reserves will be the venue for School Environment Days where Council can assist with workshops, activities and games as well as catering and tree planting. An Environment Day (in, for and about the environment) will be offered to schools on a term by term basis depending on the location of your school within Council Wards. Please refer to the Schools in Baulkham Hills Shire Map which depicts schools in relation to Council Wards.

Click here to view Schools South Map

Click here to view Schools North Map

Environmental Special Events

The third level of the program is geared towards assisting schools facilitate environmental events and activities and participate in broader community programs that are included in Australia wide environment calendars. For example, Clean Up Australia Day, National Tree Day and Threatened Species Day. More information about these events will be located on the Baulkham Hills Shire Council website Latest Information page, closer to each respective event.

The Schools Environment Calendar has been developed in partnership with a number of agencies including: Streamwatch, Ecodetective, Gould NSW, Department of Education & Training, Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Cumberland State Forest and Sydney Olympic Park.

Birds As Indicators Project

Baulkham Hills Shire Council is working with 10 local schools as part of the Birds As Indicators project during 2008.

Council in partnership with the Australian Museum, Birds Australia, Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and the Cumberland Bird Observers Club have received a grant from the Natural Resource Advisory Council to assist students, teachers and parents with a practical hands on approach to natural resource management.

The program uses birds as indicators of sustainability to educate students about environment conservation and biodiversity monitoring and management. The program involves:

Monitoring birds in your school grounds to develop skills in data collection and interpretation
Increase understanding of conserving birds and their habitat
Enhancing biodiversity in your school as part of the School Environmental Management Plan
Increasing awareness and appreciation of birds as indicators of sustainability and the quality of our environment and extend awareness of sustainability themes associated with natural resource management.

Birds as Indicators Newsletter

For more information or to register an Expression of Interest contact Baulkham Hills Shire Coucil's, Environmental Education Officer, Aimee Freimanis on 9843 0533 or email afreimanis@bhsc.nsw.gov.au.

Schools Green Network

Are you interested and passionate about the environment? Do you need advice or assistance implementing environmental education in your school? Then why not join the Schools Green Network!
Baulkham Hills Shire Council facilitate this group of teachers, parents and students interested in the environment.
The Network meet once per term at a host school to share information about environmental grants and awards, discuss environmental initiatives and gain support and advice for environmental education projects.

Upcoming Meetings:

27 May 2008 - Jasper Road Public School

21 August 2008 - Professional Development Workshop for teachers on SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS (SEMP).

28 October 2008 - Crestwood High School

For bookings, please contact Council's Environmental Education Officer on 9843 0533 (Mon & Tues), 9654 3571 (Thurs) or email afreimanis@bhsc.nsw.gov.au

Green Grants Funding

Small grants funding (up to $2,500) is available for all schools in Baulkham Hills Shire for environmental equipment (Streamwatch Kits), environmental projects or assistance with implementing School Environmental Management Plans. Application for this year's funding have now closed.

We have awarded three schools with funding through Baulkham Hills Shire Councils' Green Schools Grant program:

Excelsior Public School $2,500 for a garden recycling centre for the school and community
Tallowood Special School $2,000 for a garden and worm farm for learning programs for disabled students
Model Farms High School $500 for updating their Streamwatch Kit.

Thank you to the 17 schools who submitted applications for an amazing variety of environmental activities and projects which were all worthy of funding. If you would like assistance with funding applications to other agencies for environmental programs at your school, please do not hesitate to contact Council's Environmental Education Officer Aimee Freimanis for advice and assistance on 9843 0533 or email afreimanis@bhsc.nsw.gov.au.