Funding Sources and Awards for Environmental Education

AGL & University of NSW

AGL Sustainable Living Competition

Students (Yrs 7-12) develop sustainable solutions to deal with environmental impacts arising from building cities, transport, waste, recycling, and energy production. Over $25 000 in prizes on offer.

Ph: 9385 4834

Australian Museum

Eureka Awards

The Eureka Awards are Australia’s pre-eminent Science Awards rewarding excellence in Australian science and raising the profile of science in the community. As part of these annual awards, there are categories open to schools ($10 000 per category):

Eureka Prize for Environmental Education Program

Awarded to an innovative, leading edge EE program.

Eureka School Prize for Biological Sciences

Design of a webpage by Yr 10 – 12 students (although other years may be considered) which demonstrates excellence in the investigation and study of biology.

Eureka School Prize for Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences

Design of a webpage by Yr 10 -12 students (although other years may be considered).

School of the Year Award

Awarded to the school recording the most prize winning entries in the BHP Science Students Awards (Yrs K-12).

Natural Heritage Trust

Schools may be eligible for funding under the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) “One-Stop-Shop” process.
The NHT focuses on 5 themes – land, vegetation, rivers, coasts, marine, and biodiversity.
In NSW focuses on 5 themes – land, vegetation, rivers, coasts, marine, and biodiversity.
In NSW, the NHT process is coordinated by the Dept. Land & Water Conservation (DLWC).
NHT has a strong focus on project that utilize partnerships between a range of groups and individuals. Schools that have their own Landcare group or work with local Landcare groups may be eligible to apply for funding. P&Cs are also eligible to apply.

Coastcare

This is an initiative funded under the NHT, however, it has a separate application process from the other key themes.

Environment Australia & Cadburys

Threatened Species Competition

Students draw an Australian threatened species in its natural habitat and answer questions to receive funds for environmental projects (Yrs K-6).

Gould League of NSW

Project Environment Competition

Schools are awarded funds for special projects related to the competition theme that changes each year. Categories include poetry, research, photography, art and music (Yrs K-12).

Sustainable Management of Schools Project

Grants are awarded to schools that develop and implement ecologically sustainable management practices within the school, e.g. strategies to reduce the amount of packaging generated from the canteen (Yrs K-12).

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW

Tidy Towns

There are a range of categories and awards in the Tidy Towns Awards Program that may be relevant to schools, particularly the Dept. Public Works & Services (DPWS) School Environment Award.

Ph: 9228 6506

National Landcare Awards

A range of prestigious awards a presented biennially to groups and individuals involved in Landcare practices. There are a number of categories that would be open to schools. Groups/individuals must first qualify by competing in the State awards, These are coordinated in NSW by DLWC.

Westpac Landcare Education Award

Awarded to an education group (primary, secondary, tertiary, adult, and/or community education). Recognises excellence in raising awareness, knowledge and understanding of Landcare amongst students and/or the community, and for implementing Landcare practices on its own property or within the local community.

NHT Rivercare Award

Awarded to a community organisation or group that has made a significant contribution to sustainable management, rehabilitation and conservation of a waterway.

Bushcare Nature Conservation Award

Awarded to a community organisation or group that demonstrates excellence and innovation in implementing nature conservation activities on land outside formal parks and reserves.

Ph: 9228 6506

Environmental Grants for Schools

Run on an annual basis, schools may apply for $1000 to assist them in environmental education and site rehabilitation activities.

Ph: 9699 8726

NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)

Environmental Trust Grants

Eco Schools Grants Program
This program provides grants of $1500 to 80 schools each year. Such funding may be used by schools to involve community and students in developing and implementing environmental management initiatives e.g. reduction of energy use (Yrs K-12).

River Care 2000

This program accredits achievements in improved water quality and river restoration (e.g. programs or programs involving instream works, habitat restoration, and/or education & awareness), which also involve partnerships between government, community and industry.

Streamwatch Awards

A range of award categories are presented, aimed at recognizing the efforts and achievements of groups and individuals involved in the Streamwatch Program.

Ph: 9228 6355

NSW Minerals Council

School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) Award

The award encourages, promotes and recognizes environmental excellence in NSW schools that develop and implement a SEMP. Schools are awarded cash prizes to assist in the implementation of their SEMP (Yrs K-12).

Ph: 9267 6488

Envirothon

Envirothon is a competition for teams of Yr 11 students who are interested in applying their fieldwork skills to examine ecosystems. The competition involves data collection, problem solving and and environmental quiz.

Teams compete with schools in their own region. The winning regional teams compete in the final envirothon against other regional winners.

The competition is facilitated by the Environmental Education Centres of NSW. It is a joint initiative of the DET and NPWS.

Science Teachers Association of NSW

Young Scientist Award

Open to teachers and students undertaking a range of scientific investigations and presentations. A range of award categories, along with a range of prizes (cash & material) are on offer (Yrs K-12).

Ph: 9746 3210

Sustainable Energy

Development Authority (SEDA)

Solar in Schools Program

Schools can apply to have their own grid-connected solar power system installed. Schools are provided with the Solar Explorer Kit, developed in conjunction with the DET to teach students about the benefits of renewable energy. Funding is determined on the suitability of the school. Schools are required to part-fund the installation.

Ph: 9249 6174

University of Sydney

Physics Competition

Prizes are available for student and school entries (Yrs K-12).