Teacher Information and Support Night

Following the Congress, teachers and principals from all the local schools were invited to the Manly Environment Centre to:
    •     discuss outcomes of the day and the viability of some of the projects
    •     obtain information on environmental projects running concurrently and the resources
           available
    •     give them the opportunity to build links, extending the possibility of inter-school
          environmental projects

School follow up

Schools were contacted by MEC staff and given a list of possible environmental projects to choose from, depending on their locality and resources. Presentations were given to over 1000 students throughout this process in assemblies, class groups, environmental committees and ‘Streamteams’.

Visions from the Congress

    Clean Water
    Biodiversity
    Frogs in the creeks
    Swimmable
    More trees
    No litter 

How to achieve our visions

    Adopt-a-creek with a company
    Start a school bush regeneration programme
    Work with other schools
    Address the problems of car washing
    Provide an industry waste guide
    Hold an annual Congress
    Create a web site with images and photos of the lagoons and creeks
    Write a school/community newsletter
    Publish test results in the local paper
    Present Clean Creek Awards to Council
    Map mini-catchments
    Introduce face-to-face industry education
    Reduce concrete and sealed surfaces
    Make a documentary
    Write a new slogan ‘don‘t leave it lying around, pick it up off the ground’
    Re-use grey water
    Reduce the reliance on massive sewerage systems
    Increase fines as deterrents

Some school initiatives following the Congress

    Majority of schools participated in Industry assessment process
    kcc clubs developed in schools
    Green award scheme implemented for litter control in their playground
    Bush regeneration programmes started
    Additional recycling programs adopted in schools
    Creating a wetland to stop runoff
    Initiating computer link up on catchment resource issues
    ‘Adopting a Creek’
    Streamwatch testing increased in schools

Corporate Catchment Carers initiatives following the Congress

    Provide a medium to access industry associations and resources
    Recycle and waste reduction strategies increased
    Venues provided for industry environmental information nights
    Roadside murals on catchment issues
    Restoration of creeks
    Reduction in chemical usage
    Objective of zero waste through waste avoidance, reduction and recycling
    Information provided to suppliers and neighbours on environmentally-friendly alternatives