In 2017/18 the Illawarra Regional Sustainability Education Network are undertaking a collaborative best practice sustainability education and engagement project 'Peterborough School Five Senses Sustainability Garden'. (Read project case study here).
This project is supported by AAEE NSW through their regional capacity building project and the NSW Government's Environmental Trust.
Peterborough School Five Senses Sustainability Garden
This is a collaborative community project with TAFE NSW Yallah, the Wollongong Botanic Gardens, the Illawarra Regional Sustainability Education Network and the Australian Association for Environmental Education, supported by the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust.
The aim of this project is to create a five senses garden at Peterborough School by utilising food, colour, water, soil, plants and repurposed materials that is both safe and accessible for children with disabilities to engage with nature and the outdoor world. The sustainability of this garden is embedded, with a focus on reducing all types of waste by reusing and repurposing the main building materials for the garden, enhancing an already existing and successful compost system at the school, incorporating a rainwater tank and increasing biodiversity and green space in the area.
The community and school are invited to participate in two weekend workshops for the building, composting, planting, maintenance and celebration so the community will have the knowledge and skills to use the space in a positive, meaningful and enjoyable way and improve their own home recycling and composting practices.
Peterborough School and community will be left with a wonderful living classroom as the legacy of this program and it is hoped it will continue to inspire, act as a model of best practice, and be used by children, teachers and the wider community long into the future.
About our network
Illawarra RISEN is for sustainability educators from the Illawarra, which includes the areas of Kiama Municipal Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Our Vision
Educators from different organisations and sectors collaborating to undertake and deliver best practice sustainability education and engagement for our region’s schools, communities and environment whilst supporting the increased capacity of individual sustainability organisation.
Our Mission
To share optimism and opportunity for the Illawarra Community to learn, do and celebrate environmental sustainability.
Read our Illawarra RISEN Strategic Plan 2018
