|
Residents, community groups and schools in the Blacktown
Council area, as well as the Holroyd, Baulkham Hills and Holroyd
local government areas, may be rewarded for local environmental
projects in the 2005 Regional Environment Awards.
The Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and the four local councils
in the catchment jointly sponsor the Awards. Applicants can win
up to $6,000 for a future environmental project.
In last year's Regional Environment Awards St Andrews Senior High
School's HSC Earth and Environmental Science won the Education category
for the Blacktown City Council area. The students removed introduced
species from a section of the school grounds and replanted the area
with native species.
"The kids were so excited to win an award," explained
Science teacher, Lyndal Dennis. "They initiated the project
and learnt so much more by being able to put their classroom learning
into practice."
The Award prize money has been used to purchase tools for use in
the garden, as well as more native plants, which has allowed this
year's HSC Earth and Environmental Science students to complete
the project.
Stephen Lees, the Executive Officer of the Upper Parramatta River
Catchment Trust, remarked:
"Our community is working hard to help improve the local environment,
often with very little recognition. The Trust and the Councils want
to recognise those efforts and encourage everyone to keep up the
good work. If you know of anyone who should be recognised, please
nominate them."
The awards are open to anyone or any organisation in the Baulkham
Hills, Blacktown, Holroyd and Parramatta local government areas
whose activities or projects have helped the local environment.
Winners in the categories of individual, community group and school
in each local government area will each receive $250 for a future
environmental project. These winners will then be independently
judged for a $1,000 prize in each category. The best overall nominee
will collect the Diamond Award valued at $5,000.
To nominate yourself, or suggest a worthy person or organization,
please call Felicity Dangerfield at the Trust on 9891 4633 or visit
the web site at www.uprct.nsw.gov.au for an entry form. Applications
close on Friday 6 May 2005.
St Andrew's College Senior High School students, Jose, Edward
and Stephanie, hard at work using tools purchased with prize money
from the 2004 Regional Environment Awards.
|
