Sustainability for Schools and Community Organisations

Schools are vital in educating our community about sustainability and climate change, and schools themselves present opportunities for climate change solutions.

Council is a participating partner in the Solar My School program and is supporting two schools on their solar energy journey. This initiative supports local energy generation and reduces emissions for the community, as well as delivering savings for schools and learning opportunities for students.

Students can help reduce our communities' emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and improve their health and well-being by walking or cycling to school. Council has supported the Cycling to School program which focuses on improving children's confidence in cycling skills and road safety awareness.

If your school is unsure what sustainability projects to implement Getting Started with Sustainability in Schools is a great resource for teachers and students alike.

If your school is already on the sustainability path, consider joining Speaking 4 the Planet (S4P), an arts-based competition that encourages school students to get creative and engage with environmental and sustainability issues.

Walled garden. Everything is great! Green! You have food! Until the walls come down. You see what is truly happening. Grey Rainbow. Lifeless looks. A wasteland. Perhaps we are living walled up.

_{Concerns raised during our Youth Climate Forum 2023}

There are a variety of sustainability-minded community organisations active in our area.

The Reconnect Project promotes a circular economy in NSW, refurbishing used electronic devices and providing them to people in need, helping to divert e-waste from landfill.

Electrify Bundeena is promoting the community transition from fossil-fuels to clean energy in homes and transport.

SOShire is a community driven network of individuals, businesses and organisations all working together for a sustainable Sutherland Shire.

Shire Climate Action Network (ShireCAN) is a community of Sutherland Shire residents dedicated to climate action. ShireCAN connects like-minded people to share issues and work constructively to support sustainable initiatives and the transition to a net zero economy and lifestyle.

Check the below grant programs to see if your school or community organisation is eligible,

• NSW Education is providing funds through the Sustainable Schools Grants program to public schools and preschools that link their sustainability-focused projects with the NSW curriculum.
• iPromise Grants offered by Tradies, help implement sustainability projects.
• Shire Climate Action Network with the support of Tradies are aiming to assist community groups to install solar, saving on the costs of installation. For further information see Shire Tradies Community Groups - Solar Expression of Interest