First ever nation-wide census of the Enviroschools network
During October to December 2014 a nationwide census was undertaken of Enviroschools across the country.
The purpose of the survey was to build a picture of the activities and outcomes of the Enviroschools Programme in schools and early childhood centres nationwide.
688 schools and centres responded to the survey - a 73% return rate.
Data was gathered about the numbers of schools and participants involved in a range of environmental actions, their depth of involvement and the types of outcomes that participants believe Enviroschools is contributing to.
Initial data analysis shows:
- Wide participation - Schools are equally able to participate in the Enviroschools Programme across all deciles, sectors and regions.
- All age groups (early childhood, primary and secondary) are taking environmental action – across a wide variety of areas including waste, water, biodiversity, food production, energy and eco-building.
- Community collaboration - Enviroschools fosters significant community collaboration, creating leadership pathways for students and real connections to families, outside agencies and communities.
- Biodiversity projects are well developed, with clear links to community – 96% of respondents had biodiversity projects with 86,859 trees planted in 2014 (86% of which were native trees).
- Successful water projects - Three quarters of Enviroschools (75%) are undertaking a range of actions for water quality and conservation, including 19,264 meters of riparian planting in 2014.
- Zero Waste – Almost all Enviroschools (100%)* have a range of waste minimisation plans and actions in place.
- Food production – Most Enviroschools (97%) are growing and harvesting produce from their gardens/trees for cooking, selling and gifting.
Tackling energy usage - Just over two thirds of Enviroschools (69%) are involved in energy projects, including actions for sustainable transport (47%) and energy conservation actions (34%).
- Enviroschools is contributing to a range of other outcomes including citizenship, health, cultural understanding, motivated learners and community participation.
- Depth of practice is related to the extent of outcomes - Results show that the depth of practice increases with the length of time a school or ECE centre is involved in Enviroschools. Nearly two thirds of participating schools/centres (62%) report ‘quite well developed’ or ‘deep embedded’ practice. Further, the survey results show a clear link between depth of practice and the extent to which the programme is contributing to outcomes. This reinforces the value of the long-term approach of the Enviroschools Programme.
Download the full report of the 'Enviroschools -'Key findings from the Nationwide Census'.
*Due to rounding - of 688 schools surveyed, 686 are taking actions to reduce waste.
