Monday, 2 December 2019:  More than 100,000 Australian students across the country are getting hands-on with the environment as their school projects receive a Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant this month. 

The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program offers grants of up to $1,000 for Australian primary schools and early learning centres across the country.

The grant aims to help fund young Australians with hands-on projects focusing on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices and enhancing native habitats.

617 primary schools and early learning centres across Australia are set to benefit in the second round of grants this year.

Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO said; “Children participating in these projects range in age from preschool through to Year 6.  

“Getting involved with environmental projects at this early stage in their development will help equip students with the ability, knowledge and resources to take meaningful action to protect our shared local and national biodiversity as they grow up.”

Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters said, “Young Australians are increasingly conscious of the environment they are living in which is why it is no surprise that the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program are proving to be very popular.

“The funding of this program is part of our commitment to build the next generation of environmental champions by providing hands-on learning experiences to help make our future greener.”

St Martin's Primary School in Davidson, New South Wales is one of the schools to receive the grant for their project ‘A New Buzz in the Playground’.   Students will be involved in the installation of a hive for stingless bees, selecting and planting compatible plants  and ongoing observation of the hive to ensure its inhabitants thrive in their new home.

St Martin’s Primary School Principal, Adrian Pulley said;  “We encourage our students to be good global citizens and stewards of the earth. Having stingless bees onsite will teach the children about the life cycle of bees and how important pollination is for fresh food production, as well as how environmental conditions can impact the bees’ productivity.”

An interactive map tracks the journey of over 1,155 Woolworths Junior Landcare projects that are happening across the country.

Sine June 2018, Woolworths has to date already contributed half a million dollars in Junior Landcare grants, funding projects for over a thousand schools through the sale of ‘Bag for good’ across the country.