Developing environmental leaders in an outdoor classroom

28 August 2018

Tweed wilderness experience to build environmental awareness and collaboration

There are plenty of environmental leaders of the future in the Tweed, based on the fantastic number and quality of applications for the Tweed Secondary Schools Environmental Leadership program.

The program includes a free three-day leadership program with outdoor educators Outward Bound, designed to help students develop the skills needed to undertake an environmental action in their school setting or community.

Year 10 and 9 students across Tweed’s secondary schools were invited to apply for one of the 18 places on the program.

“The response was incredible,” Council’s Sustainability Program Leader Debbie Firestone said.

“Not only did we receive 32 applications, the quality of ideas and the passion from students already active or wanting to start an environmental initiative is inspiring,” she said.

Student project ideas ranged from waste-related topics such as school-based bins, compost facilities, food gardens, return and earn and community-based soft plastics recycling; to tackling issues like deforestation, pollution and fossil fuels, promoting Greenpeace, both starting and maintaining a school environment group, encouraging sustainability ethics and leadership in the school culture, conservation and safe habitats for native animals, an educational signage and low impact walk along Cudgen Creek, land rehabilitation and edible forests.

“It clearly identifies that young people are interested in a wide range of environmental issues and opportunities,” Ms Firestone said.

“Eighteen students have been selected from 10 Tweed secondary schools. Students have been informed and I sincerely thank all applicants for making the effort to apply.”

From 26-28 September, the 18 successful applicants will be taken out of their classroom and into the Tweed wilderness to learn skills in leadership, communication and collaboration, building their confidence and giving them the tools to take on an environmental action on their return.

The group will be led by an experienced Outward Bound outdoor instructor and accompanied by a Tweed high school teacher as well as being joined by a number of Tweed Shire Council environmental experts during the program.

“We want the students to have fun, connect with the incredible natural environment we live in, share with others in their age group and support their passion for environmental action,” Ms Firestone said.