Projects and Partners

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Project:

Professional Development for Environmental Educators
and Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities

Background 

The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) has two projects funded within the Our environment - it's a living thing partnership:

• Professional Development for Educators, and,
• Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities.

Both projects build on the work and successes of the earlier Our environment - it's a living thing programs, funded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW and delivered in 2003/2004.

The Local Community Services Association (LCSA) continues to be a joint partner in the Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities project.

Project activities 

Professional Development for Educators 

This project seeks to increase the professional skills of NSW educators to develop and deliver community education programs in the context of sustainable living.

The intended outcome of this project is effective education to increase the community's knowledge, skills and attitudes about sustainability, and to increase the number of people who are living sustainably.

The project will build on the earlier Our environment - it's a living thing — Education for Sustainability Professional Development Program lead by Macquarie University and delivered in 2003.

Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities 

Building on earlier partnership work between the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW and the Local Community Services Association, this project focuses on encouraging neighbourhood and community centre staff and volunteers to live and work sustainably.

It will use past experience to increase the ability of staff and participants to learn about and take action for their environment.

The Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities project works with Neighbourhood Centres in NSW to:

• promote the ongoing use of the Eco-friendly Communities Kit and showcase successful projects
• share ideas and local resources in regional sustainability workshops with Neighbourhood Centres, local government officers and other groups and organisations
• encourage workshop participants to make an ongoing commitment to take action for the environment – individually within their centres and their neighbourhoods – through the provision of small grants to implement sustainability projects at a local or regional basis
• identify and approach local organisations and businesses to sponsor local environmental projects

Outcomes and successes 

These programs are in development. No specific outcomes to report at this time.

Resource materials 

Some resources are already available – with more to come, so check back periodically.

Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities 

The kit has been refreshed and expanded. Update your copy now!

• Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities kit - 2nd Edition
  [902kb Acrobat PDF]

How to get involved and find out more 

For further information on Professional Development for Educators program contact the Sustainability Programs Division, at the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW on phone (02) 8837 6000 or email sustainability@environment.nsw.gov.au.

An outline of the earlier Education for Sustainability Professional Development Program is also available.

For further information on the Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities initiative or other LCSA projects and publications visit: LCSA website, phone (02) 9211 3644 or email info@lcsa.org.au.  To locate your closest Neighbourhood or Community Centre visit the LCSA website or phone NSW freecall 1800 646 545.

If you are interested in participating in the project contact Meg Bishop, the LCSA Project Officer on phone (02) 4441 8885 or email meg@lcsa.org.au.

An outline of the earlier Eco-friendly communities project initiative is also available.

Project partners 

Local Community Services Association

Local Community Services Association is the peak body for the 300 Neighbourhood and Community Centres in NSW. These centres provide a network of generalist community-based organisations that are an important part of their local community.

The Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities project uses a flexible community development model, which helps Centres undertake local projects to promote sustainability practices into everyday community and household activities.

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW works towards achieving a clean and healthy environment through its administration of environment protection legislation. This legislation covers air, water quality, contaminated land, noise control, pesticides, hazardous chemicals, dangerous goods, radiation and waste as well as national parks and reserves, biodiversity and threatened species, Aboriginal and cultural heritage, historic sites and pest management.

The DECC uses a range of means to achieve compliance including economic incentive schemes, regulation, enforcement, education, and monitoring and reporting.

A further role for the Department is to promote environmentally sustainable practices, resource use and waste management. This involves the development, coordination and implementation of a range of strategies and programs, including education for industry and the community, and market development for recovered resources and recycled materials.

 

Need more? Find out about other projects and initiatives.