Already since 2001 New Zealand sets worldwide standards in greening their formal education system. The Enviroschool initiative is a model for best practice in environmental and sustainability education beyond the countries national borders.
Enviroschools began as a small, seed-funded project, supported by a local City Council and a Community Environmental Program. The first pilot was conducted with only three primary schools involved.
With now over 800 schools and the support of 80 partner organizations the success of the initiative goes without saying.
Leadership from local Government has been key to the development of a strong national network.
With support from the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund and the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education the Enviroschools Program became available nationwide. The establishment of The Enviroschools Foundation in 2003 provided a lead agency and a strong organizational structure to build regional partnerships with Councils and community groups around New Zealand. Funding from a number of philanthropic organizations was crucial in the early stages of development. This was followed by a contract with the Ministry of Education which ensured an ongoing of the initiative.
For more information visit the Enviroschools Foundation website: http://www.enviroschools.org.nz/
This article was done with the support of the Enviroschool facilitators Jennie and Anna (Dunedin, NZ), December 2014
