11 June 2024: Woolworths, in partnership with Landcare Australia, has awarded 1,041 grants of up to $1,000 each to support outdoor learning projects at primary schools and early learning centres across Australia. 

In total more than $1 million of Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants will go towards funding to help young kids discover new learning experiences in their local environment. 

Each grant will help bring a new creative idea to life, or grow an existing project, that focuses on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices or enhancing native habitats. 

Examples of projects to be awarded this year include Nambour Community Preschool and Kindergarten's edible bush tucker garden in Queensland, Manning Valley Anglican College's food garden to reduce waste in NSW, and Wendouree Primary School's biodiversity initiative for the critically endangered Swift Parrot in Victoria.

Local Woolworths store teams will present each recipient with a certificate in the coming weeks, visiting local primary schools and early learning centres in their community to hear about their plans for each grant. 

Woolworths Director of Stores, Jeanette Fenske, said: “Delivering these grants to schools within their local community is something all of our store teams look forward to. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support young students and educators with such creative ideas as they look to get outdoors and connect with nature.

“As Today’s Fresh Food People, we’re excited to help grow the next generation of environmental champions.”

The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program has awarded $6 million worth of grants to date, supporting more than 6,000 primary schools and early learning centres across Australia.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, said: “The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants have always been about bringing sustainability into classrooms across Australia, and teaching children how to care for the environment around them.

“Thanks to Woolworths thousands of schools have been able to further support environmental champions and support students to develop hands-on skills that they can take with them when they leave school.”

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