Environmental Sustainability in Schools

Community partnerships

This priority area of environmental sustainability action includes ways for schools to partner with others in the broader community to support their efforts in environmental sustainability. Each organisation will have its own way to connect and its own priorities, so schools should first ensure that they have clear priorities set out in their Environmental Sustainability Plan before reaching out to different organisations. Schools are not obliged to engage with their broader community in relation to improving environmental sustainability.

Refer to Case studies and Resources for additional guidance and resources.

Schools can choose to:

• improve natural habitats and create gardens. Community organisations support school gardening or tree planting opportunities for students. Relevant organisations include Environmental Education Victoria, Landcare Victoria and Victorian School Gardens Program
• create and promote active transport to and from school. Safe routes to school, Change to Walking program and Ride2School provide grants and support to schools to promote safe ways to get to school while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from school-related transport
• seek support to assist with climate-related natural hazards. For example, the Country Fire Association has resources for schools to assist in responding to bush fires. The Victorian State Emergency Service conducts school visits and provides resources to help keep their local communities safe.