Events & News

Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE)

15th Biennial Conference - Environmental Education up the Track: Hot Topics for our Community

9 - 12 July 2008 Darwin Northern Territory

Themes covered at the AAEE 15th Biennial conference:

Energy-efficiency schools: new online guide

Energy-inefficient buildings, fossil-fuel energy sources, and energy practices of an earlier era – that is the common perception of New Zealand schools.

However, many schools are reviewing their energy use. They are adopting energy-efficiency practices, often building them into the curriculum, and they have exciting success stories to tell.

Some of these stories are outlined in the Energy-efficient Schools guide, which will soon be online at www.neri.org.nz/education/energy_efficient_schools

A collaborative guide

The Energy-efficient Schools guide is a collaborative venture, initially produced by the National Energy Research Institute (NERI) in partnership with The Enviroschools Foundation, the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA), and supported by the Ministry of Education for this web development.

In addition, an advisory panel of energy and education experts contributed their expertise. The result is detailed, up-to-date information on efficient technologies in lighting, heating, equipment, hot water, and transport in schools. Based on this information, downloadable audit and planning templates are provided. Coming soon are interactive tools for inputting energy data and obtaining data for comparison and monitoring.

Learning from successful schools

The guide explores the impressive energy-efficiency efforts of two large secondary schools and two small primary schools, from Auckland to Southland. It then details how all schools can take action.

Taking action is not simply a technical matter, but first involves changing behaviours. For example, an audit conducted during the holidays by students at Northcote College found 289 items left on unnecessarily. This finding led to an important change of focus, which the Northcote case study details.

At Wallacetown Primary, an energy audit led to improved classroom lighting and heating, and a longer swimming season, yet the school’s overall energy use dropped. The Wallacetown case study explains how they achieved this happy outcome.

An action plan and templates

The guide first recommends planning as a whole school, followed by an action plan with three different areas of focus:

1.    Avoid wasting energy.

2.    Use energy more efficiently.

3.    Use energy from renewable sources.

Each of these areas is detailed in the guide, starting with simple `housekeeping’ measures to counter waste. These measures typically bring immediate savings of at least 10%, carry zero cost, and have a strong educational component for both students and their families. Students and staff can use a simple-fix template in the guide to check their school’s energy use and to prioritise change.

Once the immediate savings are gained, a longer-term planning template enables schools to tackle deep-seated issues, from energy-inefficient equipment to sustainability.

While the guide provides tools for schools to use themselves, it’s interesting to note that all four schools in the case studies used expertise outside the staff and student body to undertake energy audits. This external expertise was funded in various ways by the different schools.

Grants, loans, and further advice

The guide includes extensive contact details for funding agencies, advisory organisations, and websites.

The websites include education websites, both New Zealand-based and overseas-based. They are particularly useful to schools who are building their energy-efficiency programme into the curriculum. With New Zealand’s new energy policy and growing environmental awareness, this process has much to commend it.

Energy efficiency is a key part of the Enviroschools Programme, which supports students and their schools to plan, design, and take action for sustainability. In addition to the Enviroschools’ teaching and learning resources, two new initiatives will support schools to develop sustainable energy and environmental building projects. Available later in 2008 are:

·       Measuring Sustainable Outcomes: a tool which assists schools to audit, measure, and track their energy saving. It enables regional and national school comparisons.

·       Sustainability Directory: an online database of sustainable products and services relevant to school sustainability projects.

The Energy-efficient Schools guide supports schools to get started.

Kotahi Moana – Kei konei te tīmatatanga

One Ocean - It starts here

02 – 09 March 2008

Seaweek, March 2-9, turned up the radar on the marine environment, providing opportunities for Kiwis right around New Zealand to experience, learn about and take action for the marine and coastal environment.  Seaweek was launched in Auckland by the Minister of Conservation, Hon Steve Chadwick, with the gala opening performance of "The Perils of the Deep Blue Sea", an experiential theatre piece produced by the Real Theatre Company and set in historic Fort Takapuna, Devonport.


Also in the spotlight was Taranaki teenager Paige Hareb, world number two under-20 professional women's surfer, and Seaweek 2008's ocean ambassador: "Everyone needs to get out there and lend a hand and I'm more than willing to challenge my mates and fellow surfers to do something really useful to keep our coast and seas healthy.  Surfing is one of our biggest growing youth sports. We can lead the way here and we can make a difference.  "I jumped at the chance to help with Seaweek because looking after my local beach at Oakura has been a big thing my whole life. My family and I have picked up rubbish there for years and this year we've also helped build nesting boxes for blue penguins along the Taranaki coast."

Over 400 people attended the launch, which coincided with a monthly Green Drinks gathering hosted by DOC, bringing together a wide range of marine stakeholders. Performances of "The Perils of the Deep Blue Sea" continued throughout the week, giving hundreds of Auckland school children and their teachers and parents an experience of the perils Maui's dolphins and other marine life must face every day.  Travel for low decile schools to attend the performances was funded by the ASB Trust.

Seaweek's aim is to raise awareness of our coasts and ocean and encourage all New Zealanders to help look after their local marine areas all year round. The event is coordinated by NZAEE, with support from the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry for the Environment, St Kilda Marine Environment Trust and NZ Geographic.  Thanks to our Seaweek partners and sponsors, this year's national coordinator, Linda Bercusson, the regional Seaweek co-ordinators and everyone else involved for making Seaweek 2008 such a success.

Seaweek has experienced exponential growth across New Zealand. In 2005 there were 85 events registered with Seaweek; in 2006 there were 130 and in 2007 we had over 200. All were listed on our dedicated Seaweek website: www.seaweek.org.nz.  Activities were run throughout the country and ranged from presentations, to community festivals to restoration projects. 

We supplied nearly 500 school packs, until supplies were exhausted. These packs included the Seaweek poster and educational booklet, plus the Ministry of Fisheries publication The State of Our Fisheries.  Sections from our 2007 Seaweek educational booklet can be found on our website in PDF format

NZAEE is proud to continue bringing Seaweek to New Zealand and we sincerely thank our 2007 partners the Sir Peter Blake Trust and our other sponsors including the Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Fisheries, St Kilda Marine Environment Trust and our media sponsor, New Zealand Geographic. 

Of course Seaweek could not happen without the volunteer co-ordinators around the country. Thank you all so much – we could not have done it without you!

We still have Seaweek 2007 posters left over. If you would like a copy please contact NZAEE national office.

Contact NZAEE if you would like to be involved.

SEAWEEK CREATES A SPLASH!

Auckland says “cheers” to international green movement

Sustainability is a vast and popular topic at the moment and what better way is there to debate the subject than over a drink?Representatives from more than 100 different organisations have come together to participate in Auckland’s last three Green Drinks events, and even more are expected at monthly events during 2008.

Green Drinks is a simple concept that has generated an international movement that is now active in 312 cities around the world. The international website www.greendrinks.org highlights everywhere you can go and join like-minded people in regular, fun, social networking.

“It’s basically all about people from different professions and backgrounds getting together and talking about sustainability in their city, but they are in a relaxed social setting, not a stuffy bureaucratic meeting” says one of the Green Drinks organisers, Trish Kirkland-Smith.

“It’s about scientists talking to ad execs, urban planners talking to teachers, business leaders talking to not-for-profits, engineers talking to artists, academics talking to TV producers, and actors talking to architects” says Ms Kirkland-Smith.

The inaugural Auckland Green Drinks event was hosted by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) at the Auckland Regional Council buildings in September 2007 and was an overwhelming success. With an initial thought that maybe 50-60 people might attend, the NZAEE Auckland Branch were flabbergasted at the 200 RSVPs received and the buzz generated on the night.

There were two other events in 2007 – a fun evening of networking at the Viaduct hosted by Creo Sustain Communications, and a wonderful evening of sculpture and plants at the Botanic Gardens hosted by Auckland Regional Council.

2008 is kicking off with a marine theme, with the Department of Conservation hosting Green Drinks and the launch of SEAWEEK on the 29^th of February at Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve. Guests at this event will be treated to the Gala Opening of the experiential theatre production “Perils of the Deep Blue Sea” that has been developed by The Real Theatre Company in partnership with the Department of Conservation and NZAEE.

More Auckland Green Drinks events are planned – including a Street Party hosted by the EcoStore and Wright Communications. If you are interested in receiving invites to future Green Drinks, then just email auckland@nzaee.org.nz.

Connections and Actions Conference

16 - 19^th January 2008 Dunedin, New Zealand

The New Zealand Association for Environmental Education’s biennial conference, Connections and Actions, was  held in the South Island city of Dunedin, New Zealand, January 16 – 19, 2008.  Dunedin is located on a dramatic coastline and affords easy access to spectacular Central Otago.

See  http://www.cityofdunedin.com

The conference’s main themes:

Connections and Actions is aimed at staff from local and central government, teachers from all sectors, youth, NGOs, community volunteer groups and businesses.

The conference combined speakers, workshops, fieldtrips, and showcased local EE/sustainability activities and programmes.

For further information see the conference website or contact Pat Johnston pat@dcms.co.nz

CONFERENCE OUTCOMES:

The expectation of the Connections and Actions conference committee is that all participants leave inspired and empowered to further their own sustainable practices and facilitate positive behaviour changes and environmental action within their communities.

It is the intention of the organisers that papers will be available on the conference website following the conclusion of the conference.

New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowships

During 2008 the Royal Society of New Zealand is offering a range of one and two term Teacher Fellowships.  For more information about these awards visit www.rsnz.org/awards/teacher_fellowships/ or contact:  john.auty@rsnz.org. Click here to view environmental and ecological fellowships.

A number of projects are available in Canterbury, Westland, Wellington, and Auckland. Congratulations to southern branch member Jennie Upton for being awarded the opportunity to develop her project Marine life down south, through the RSNZ scholarship and supported by the University of Otago.

Birthday News

Normally last minute news arrives at the eleventh hour, but this was not the case with our quarter of century birthday news- news arrived at 10pm -on the eve of the big day.

A founding member of the Association, Warren Jowett contacted NZAEE highlighting the discrepancy – we were in fact younger than we realised – two years shy of 25 years still!

It was decided at the AGM to cut the cake and celebrate our existence all the same. Past Chairperson and founding member Pam Williams sliced up the non-birthday birthday cake.

The AGM was well attended by members, past members and NZAEE associates supporting the new strategic direction. Attendees from the night commented that if it hadn’t been for the birthday celebration they may not have come, but how good it was to meet up and celebrate many past achievements.