Tweed Shire students to drive environmental change

Beach clean ups, school recycling programs and planting native trees are all initiatives that students in the Tweed Shire are putting into practice. Eighteen year ten students have recently graduated from the Tweed Council’s inaugural Secondary School Environmental Leadership Program that aims to support students’ environmental initiatives in schools and the community.

‘It’s great to hear that students improved their leadership skills and confidence alongside meeting new like-minded people on the program,’ said Deputy Mayor of Tweed Cr Chris Cherry.

‘This is the next generation of leaders and it’s important we encourage them to be passionate about the environment in their schools and communities.’

More than 30 students applied from eleven Tweed secondary schools for the 18 places, funded through Council’s environmental education funds. An additional grant from Boeing enabled students to benefit from the expertise of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership (CSL).

As part of the program students also completed a three-day Outward Bound Australia wilderness experience in Kunghur.

‘From being involved I got to see first-hand the value of the program,’ said Daniel Robins, director of science at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, who participated in the program.

‘It was good for the students to meet Council officers who are working in areas they are passionate about. The program was an excellent opportunity to build on our efforts to set the right example in environmental sustainability at school.’

Students are now putting environmental projects into action at school and in their community, with initiatives which range from beach clean-up days, recycling in schools, to planting more native trees within school grounds.

CSL worked with the students to explore the concepts of environmental leadership, refining their skills in delivering environmental projects and practiced sharing the students’ stories about their environmental passions and actions.