Theme 4: Taking Action

Topic: At School

Why take action at school?

Water is a precious resource and we must use it wisely to ensure the sustainability of our current water sources. The school community is a great place to make changes because it is possible to have a positive impact on how people behave for the rest of their lives. Schools can play a vital role in water conservation and in restoring and protecting our catchment areas.

Waste management action

Schools can help dispose of waste in an appropriate manner, ensuring waste does not enter the stormwater system and that rubbish doesn't end up in our waterways.

Perhaps organise to have litter-free lunch days and look at ways to recycle and reuse waste materials.

Community program action

Schools have the opportunity to become involved in a number of community programs that help look after our catchments, including, Waterwatch, Our Patch, Catchment Care, Landcare, and Coastcare. These programs offer education activities, action plans and resources for students and teachers. For more information on community programs please visit: www.watercare.net/water_get_inv.php

Protect water quality

There are many things schools can do to protect the water quality of local waterways. Following are some ideas:

• Use a broom to clean driveways and footpaths.
• Use leaves and lawn clippings for compost.
• Plant native plants.
• Encourage people to pick up dog droppings while out walking their dog.

For more water quality tips visit: www.watercare.net/water_cleaner.php

Encourage water conservation

Schools can encourage water conservation practises by installing and using dual flush toilets, reporting and fixing water leaks, educating about the importance of saving water and conducting a school water audit.

Become a sustainable school

Make protecting the planet a priority for your school! This may be achieved by developing a 'whole-of-school' approach to water and environmental education, by developing an environmental education plan for your whole school. This plan can incorporate:

• Your schools' vision for sustainability.
• A program of positive environmental practices like water conservation, revegetation projects, waste management and energy conservation.
• Integrating environmental education into the curriculum at different year levels and subject areas.
• Developing partnerships within the community.
• Monitoring your progress.
• Student involvement in planning and implementing environmental initiatives.

Student Activity Ideas

• Involve students in organising a litter-free lunch for the class or the whole school.
• Brainstorm ways to reuse or recycle classroom resources.
• Investigate some of the environmental programs that are available for teachers and students to participate in. Perhaps choose one or two of the programs, and become involved.
• Involve students in a local water quality project:
  1. Visit your local waterway - test the water quality and learn about local water quality issues.
  2. Research the different water uses for the waterways - who or what is using yours?
  3. Look at the different sources of pollution? What can be done to improve the water quality in your local waterway?
• Get involved in drain stencilling environmental messages in the school or local community.

Enquiry Learning

• Why is it important to take action on water quality at school?
• What sort of things can the school do to become involved in restoring and protecting our environment?
• What can be done at school to help protect local catchments?

Internet Resources and Activities

Description	Resources and Activities
Get involved in Our Patch/Catchment Care program offered by many Catchment Boards.	Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Board www.nabcatchment.net Our Patch - Patawalonga and Torrens CWMBs www.ourpatch.on.net Our Patch - Onkaparinga CWMB www.onkaparinga.net
Review the case studies of Our Patch and Catchment Care school projects in the Our Patch/Catchment Care Resource Kit to get a feel for what is possible.	'Whole of School Approach'
Biowhat? The South Australian Urban Forest biodiversity Program. The starter kit for Primary Schools to conserve and promote biodiversity in their school community. Grow a Great school is another Urban Forest initiative.	Urban Forest Biodiversity Program www.urbanforest.on.net/schools.htm Grow a great school application form www.urbanforest.on.net/ applicationform.htm
Get involved in the Waterwatch program.	Waterwatch www.sa.waterwatch.org.au
Get involved in the Weed Warriors program. Mount Lofty Ranges only but links to other weed related sites.	Mt Lofty Ranges Animal and Plant Control Board www.mlrapcb.net/weedwarriors.html
Local Action Planning Committees. Contact your Local Action Planning Committees in the River Murray Catchment Water Management Board region.	River Murray Catchment Water Management Board www.rivermurray.sa.gov.au/ lapgroups
Frog Census. Monitoring frogs to get a picture of the health of our riparian habitats.	SA Government EPA www.deh.sa.gov.au/epa/ frogcensus
Department of Environment and Heritage. Ideas for Taking Action.	SA Department of Environment and Heritage www.deh.sa.gov.au/reporting/ education/taking_action.html
Gould League - 'Every Drop Counts'. Extensive resources for Primary Schools in water education, including developing plans for dealing with water issues in the school.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au
Landcare School and Community Projects Best Practice Manual.	Landcare SA www.landcaresa.org.au/downloads/ school_landcare.pdf
'Special Forever' - an environmental communications project. Students getting involved in communication about the Murray-Darling Basin and the importance of water. They will provide a booklet with comprehensive information on how to participate.	Primary English Teachers Association www.nexus.edu.au/ozprojects/ journey/mdbcpeta.htm The Murray-Darling Basin Commission www.mdbc.gov.au/education/ projects/projects.htm#special
Coast and Clean Seas. Commonwealth Government's marine and coastal conservation initiative that encourages community involvement in the protection, management and rehabilitation of our coastal and marine environments.	Coast and Clean Seas www.ea.gov.au/coasts/ccs
Coastcare. This is a major component of Coasts and Clean Seas, the Commonwealth Government's marine and coastal conservation initiative that encourages community involvement in the protection, management and rehabilitation of our coastal and marine environments.	Coastcare www.ea.gov.au/coasts/coastcare/ index.html
Working towards sustainability. Resources and ideas for action - personal and at school.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ folder_4.shtml#sect1
Planting with school children. Resource sheet. PDF download.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ downloads/folder_4/ 3_11_1.pdf

Who Can Help?

Organisation	Who Can Help?
Catchment Water Management Boards	Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): North Adelaide & Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Torrens Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Patawalonga Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): River Murray Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): South East
Conservation Council of SA	Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) Conservation Centre
Department for Environment and Heritage	Department for Environment and Heritage
Global Education Centre	Global Education Centre (SA)
Gould League	Gould League
Greening Australia	Greening Australia (GA)
KESAB	Keeping South Australia Beautiful Inc (KESAB)
Trees for Life	Trees for Life
Urban Forest Biodiversity Program	Urban Forest Biodiversity Program
Waterwatch SA	Waterwatch State Office Waterwatch: Broughton Wakefield Waterwatch: KESAB Patawalonga & Torrens Waterwatch: North Adelaide & Barossa Waterwatch: River Murray (Upper) Waterwatch: River Murray (Lower) Waterwatch: South East Onkaparinga Waterwatch Network
Youth Environment Council	Youth Environment Council (YEC)

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