School Programs
Within Victoria there are a range of fantastic sustainability programs that assist schools from initial concept through to completion. These programs either require your school to commit to the program by signing on to the program or by paying a fee for service. These programs include:CERES
CERES (the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) is a community environment project located beside the Merri Creek in Brunswick. CERES has facilitated over 250 schools, including the only forty-three 5 star fully accredited Sustainable Schools in Australia.
http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/
Gould League
Gould Group designs innovative environmental education and training in sustainability. They have delivered educational programs to over 600,000 students, 1,400 schools and 300 teachers each year throughout Victoria alone. Their programs reach over one million Australian students annually.
http://www.gould.org.au/html/schools.asp
LandLearn
LandLearn provides a structure and support for schools to incorporate studies of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management into the curriculum.
http://www.landlearn.net.au/
National Solar School Program
The Australian Government is backing our schools in the fight against climate change. The National Solar Schools Program is giving Australian schools a head start in tackling climate change and conserving our precious water supplies.
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/nationalsolarschools/index.html
Planet Savers
Organised by the North East Greenhouse Alliance (NEGHA) the Planet Savers program engages with local schools to increase awareness of greenhouse and other sustainability issues and to support and work with them to reduce their energy consumption.
http://www.negha.org.au/
ResourceSmart (incorporating WasteWise)
ResourceSmart offers solutions to steer us towards a low carbon future and zero waste. ResourceSmart Schools is for all Victorian schools, but particularly those involved in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative in Victoria (AuSSI Vic) and the Waste Wise program.
http://www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/
http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/
Saltwatch
Saltwatch is an environmental monitoring program that helps communities better understand the salinity problem. During Saltwatch Week (the second week of May), schools and community groups from all over Victoria can learn about the effects of salinity on water quality in their local catchment by collecting local water sources and testing with a salinity meter to determine salt content.
http://www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/monitoring-&-data/994/
Sustainability Wiz
Based on research and practical experience with thousands of schools, Sustainability Wiz guides schools through the steps essential to incorporate sustainability in meaningful ways into curricula, operations and culture - and from there into homes.
http://www.gould.edu.au/html/SustainabilityWiz.asp
The Sustainables
The Department of Sustainability and Environment and Gould Group have developed a professional development and curriculum program for Victorian schools on environmental sustainability. This program has been running since 2005, reaching 90 schools in regional and metropolitan Victoria, and uses "the Sustainables" as a teaching tool.
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/thesustainables/teachers.htm#3
SWEP - School Water Efficiency Program
Waterwatch
Waterwatch Victoria is a community engagement program connecting local communities with river health and sustainable water management issues. Through Waterwatch, groups are supported and encouraged to become actively involved in local waterway monitoring and on-ground action.
http://www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/
Victorian Solar in School Initiative
Victorian schools are eligible to apply for both the Victorian Solar in Schools Initiative and the Australian Government's National Solar Schools Program
