Grant helps schools to grow sustainable practices

EcoPorts grant success story, Gumlu State School

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP) annual environmental grants provide ten schools with $1000 each to assist with sustainability projects.

NQBP Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Fertin said all the successful projects positively contributed to developing a sustainable environment at their schools.

“Among the successful recipients this year, grants will help establish a multi-functional garden space, allow students to participate in Tree Day celebrations and assist with learnings around sustainability,” Mr Fertin said.

“NQBP is proud to support grassroots projects that engage young people in our port communities to help create awareness and appreciation for the environment,” he said.

“Each year we look forward to seeing what kind of projects local students are wanting to undertake to help make their community a better place to live.”

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School principal Bianca Hodges said the school was grateful for the support from NQBP.

“As a recipient in 2017, our school was able to build a sensory herb and vegetable garden as part of our learning in Prep,” Ms Hodges said.

“This was the start of more sustainable practices which have been expanded this year to include more sustainable waste management processes,” she said.

“We are excited to be a recipient again in 2019 and will use our grant this year to expand on our Sustainability Project to include two new vegetable gardens and a chicken coop.

“Our small school appreciates the support of NQBP for these important sustainability initiatives.”

NQBP’s EcoPorts grants are open annually to schools located in one of NQBP’s port communities: Hay Point, Mackay, Bowen and Weipa.

Successful schools:

Mackay

Farleigh State School – Multi-functional gardening space used to teach various classes, including science.

Pioneer State High School – Help remove of the pest plant Salvinia in the school’s pond.

St Francis Xavier Kindergarten – Building a chicken coop and native beehive to assist learnings about life cycles.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary – The creation of a kitchen garden and chicken run used to assist the teaching of sustainable practices.

Mackay North State School – Refurbishment of the old vegetable garden by renewing timber around the edging of the garden.

Whitsunday Anglican School – Vegetable garden and fruit orchard to be established and maintained by students.

Carlisle Adventist Christian College – Grant to go towards the purchase of a drone to help survey the health of local reefs.

Mackay State High School – Rejuvenate the soil quality of the farm plot using improved composting practices and worm farm production.

Hay Point

Alligator Creek State School – Participation in Tree Day celebrations by planting saplings and small trees on the main oval and planting native grasses, bushes and small trees at the creek.

Abbot Point

Queens Beach State School – Work in conjunction with Bowen Pastoral Show Society, Stackleroth Farms, HM Clause to encourage children to grow veggies and enter them into the Bowen Show.