Enviroschools : Enviroschools Notice Board

Our Future DVD

Showcasing the 2009 Children's Climate Change Conference in Copenhagan

The group of 'UNICEF Climate Kiwis' that took part in the 2009 Copenhagan Conference have put together a DVD about the forum that is now available to schools.

'Our Future' implores young people to take action on climate change and would be a great resource for envirogroups or schools that are looking at the bigger sustainability picture.

The DVD is free of charge from the UNICEF website and can be ordered here.

There is also a digital version available to watch at www.unicef.org.nz

Battle of the Birds

Get your school on board and vote for your favourite tweeter!

Forest & Bird’s much anticipated ‘Bird of the Year’ poll is warming up as campaign managers prepare their most colourful slogans and wittiest blogs to get people to vote for their favourite tweeter. The poll is an important way to raise awareness of the plight of many native birds, whose numbers are declining because of introduced pests and declining habitat.

Filmmaker Taika Waititi, painter Grahame Sydney, and musician Don McGlashan are just some of the celebrities who will be going head-to-head in its annual battle of the birds.

As well as inviting celebrities to vie for their favourite bird, we would love to get kids on board to champion their most beloved bird.

So if you as a school, or classroom, would like to back one of our native birds, please get in touch with Mandy Herrick (m.herrick@forestandbird.org.nz)

Just send Mandy an email with a list of some of your favourite birds, and she will tell you whether any of them have representation!

Voting for Bird of the Year will open on the 13th of September during Conservation Week.

The Bird of the Year 2009 title went to the kiwi, in 2008 it was taken out by the kakapo, and other winners have included the fantail, the tui and the grey warbler.

For more information on last year’s voting and winning bird please visit:

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-releases/kiwi-flies-in-forest-birds-bird-the-year-poll

Marlborough Girls College partner up with HP to preserve the environment

A commitment to environmental sustainability has seen Marlborough Girls College partner up with HP to come up with a solution to aging computer software.

See this great article for more information!

Southern Ocean Voyage -Calling Keen Year 12-13 students...

Adventure around NZ's sub-Antarctic islands!

Do you have a passion and aptitude for Science?
Are you a keen conservationist?
Are you studying at least 2 science subjects?
Are you a NZ citizen or permanent resident?
Are you a good communicator and do you enjoy conversing with a wide range of people?
Do you like a bit of an adventure?
Do you have a good level of fitness?
Do you have good sea legs?

If this sounds like you and you’re a Yr12 or Yr13 student then this opportunity may be just what you’re looking for!

An invitation has been extended to the Royal Society of New Zealand from the Royal New Zealand Navy to select three senior secondary school students for the Southern Ocean voyage from 6 – 12 December 2010.

HMNZS WELLINGTON will begin its journey in Bluff and end its voyage in Dunedin. Along the way WELLINGTON will visit some of the sub-Antarctic islands such as Campbell, Auckland and Enderby Islands. During the week you will be involved in activities working alongside Department of Conservation staff that will also be travelling on the ship.

You need to be fit as there will be some hills to climb and it’s also likely the sea will get pretty rocky at times which is why you will also need good sea legs.

If you’re interested in this wonderful opportunity please send a brief CV, copy of your passport, a letter of recommendation from your principal, a letter from you on why you would make a good candidate, and a signed record of learning.

Applications close on 13th October and need to be sent to Debbie Woodhall, Royal Society of New Zealand, 4 Halswell Street, Box 598, Wellington. Or emailed to Debbie.woodhall@royalsociety.org.nz

Te Wiki o te reo Māori-Wellington facilitator Charles Barrie embraces Māori Language Week!

Māori language week was all about embracing reo Māori and giving it a go!

Charles Barrie from Wellington was interviewed for a Wellington newspaper and shares his journey with te reo Māori- both on a personal level and how he uses it in his job as an enviroschools facilitator.

Mother Earth Partnership with Enviroschools

Giving regions the opportunity to run sustainable networking events

The Mother Earth Regional Events Fund was launched at Red Hill School in Papakura, Auckland and marks the start of an exciting partnership between Mother Earth and The Enviroschools Foundation.

Mother Earth are sponsoring the Regional Events Fund which will help regions to run professional development and networking events that enable schools to get together to share best practice and their sustainability journeys.

Kevin Hawkes, Marketing Manager of Mother Earth believes in 'acting globally and thinking locally'. He is excited about sponsoring The Enviroschools Foundation and the regional networks as he says it complements their thinking. "We are committed to the sponsorship and to school-children throughout New Zealand. We want to help make a difference and create sustainable communities led by young children armed with confidence, knowledge and initiative."

As a company, Mother Earth are committed to promoting healthy food options using simple ingredients, and want to support health and environmental care in the community.

For more information on Mother Earth visit www.motherearth.co.nz/

We are very excited about working with Mother Earth and believe that together we can provide students with more opportunities and experiences to plan, design and create healthy, sustainable and resilient schools and communities.