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Sustainability Learning Centre in Hobart
Tasmania’s first Sustainability Learning Centre officially opened
Education Minister Nick McKim and Senator Carol Brown today jointly opened Tasmania’s first Sustainability Learning Centre. The opening of the Sustainability Learning Centre is the culmination of more than ten years work by Greening Australia and its partners. The centre is situated amongst 65 hectares of threatened bushland, adjacent to prominent reserves near the Hobart College owned by the Tasmanian Government. Greening Australia National CEO, Brendan Foran said the centre is unique in that it will deliver specialist science, ecology and sustainability education and house the CSIRO Science Education Centre, as well as Greening Australia staff.
“Today’s opening marks stage one of a $5m program and following on from this, Greening Australia will seek to raise another $1.8m for stages two and three. The centre will focus on studying climate change, biodiversity and ecology, economic and environmental sustainability, conservation and future careers,” Mr Foran said.
Mr Foran added a key aspect of the Sustainability Centre is the unique partnership between Greening Australia, CSIRO, Tasmanian Department of Education, Catholic and independent schools, our corporate supporters and private donors.
“The Sustainability Learning Centre will provide outstanding learning opportunities for all Tasmanian students, with state-of-the-art, sustainable building-infrastructure and programs for Tasmanian students from kindergarten to year 12. Sustainability will be a major focus of the centre, as it also aims to achieve Six-Star, Green Building Council of Australia accreditation, and so provide a practical example of green building practice for local businesses and communities,” he said.
The support of the Tasmanian community has been critical for the success of this project. Greening Australia has so far inspired over 58 Tasmanians to provide generous donations between $1,000 and $190,000 – a total of over $400,000 from committed Tasmanian individuals.
Hydro Tasmania is a founding partner in the Centre and is supporting the Water for Life program, focusing on catchment management for healthy landscapes and healthy rivers. Hydro Tasmania is providing $240,000 over 3 years.
“In addition Southern Water is supporting the new centre’s Water Warriors program, which works with schools to promote sustainable water use and provides $63,000 over three years,” he said.
For more information contact Richard Gerathy on 0419 203 075.
Sustainability Learning Centre in Hobart on track to inspire minds and change futures
Through your continued support the new Sustainability Learning Centre is on track for completion by the end of August.
The Sustainability Learning Centre is a purpose-built educational facility designed and being constructed to meet the rigorous 6 Star Green Star energy rating system. Greening Australia has partnered with the Tasmanian Department of Education, CSIRO Education, Independent Schools Association of Tasmania and Catholic Education Office to deliver innovative and inspiring sustainability educational programs for Kindergarten through year 12 students. The centre will be the hub for face-to-face sessions and web-based programs for students across the state and nationally. The Centre will also be Greening Australia in Tasmania’s home base, with offices, a teaching nursery and works compound.
Greening Australia’s Education goals are to: EXPLORE, INSPIRE and CHANGE.
Greening Australia’s founding education partners Hydro Tasmania and Southern Water are supporting us to develop and deliver two new programs for primary and secondary aged students. Hydro Tasmania is supporting Water for Life, an exciting catchment discovery program and Southern Water is supporting Water Warriors, an innovative water conservation program. The programs put young minds to work on exploring their catchments and understanding how we can improve catchment health and empower student to lead the way on water conservation through production of a water saving campaign. The two programs will be run as a pilot with three schools in Tasmania this year, to be offered ongoing to all schools through the new centre.
If you would like to support the Sustainability Learning Centre please click here.
