Twenty-one schools Northland-wide have been allocated sums from $500 to $2000 to fund projects from beekeeping to possum fur plucking through the regional council’s annual ‘Environmental Leaders Fund’ (ELF).

Councillors Rick Stolwerk (the council’s Coastal South constituency representative) and Justin Blaikie (Hokianga-Kaikohe) sat on the judging panel which recently allocated this year’s funding.

The fund aims to support Northland schools and their students to increase their environmental knowledge, passion and practice through projects that are practical, hands-on and have a positive environmental impact.

Councillor Stolwerk says both he and Cr Blaikie were thrilled with the variety and calibre of applications, as well as the interest schools and their pupils shared in attempting to make a real difference to Northland’s environment.

“This year council is pleased to be able to fund 21 projects worth a total of $22,264 from the 28 schools which collectively applied for almost $46,000 over April and early May.”

Councillor Stolwerk says schools can apply for up to $2000, with applications that related to the regional council’s core business of biodiversity, biosecurity and water quality typically having a greater chance of success.

“We would have liked to have been able to grant all 28 applications – and the full amounts they’d been seeking – but the available funding was limited, which unfortunately meant some schools did miss out.”

He says of the 21 successful applicants, 13 (collectively worth $13,505) are from the Whangarei district, five (worth $4759) from the Far North and three (worth $4000) from Kaipara.

“It’s great to see our young people taking such a keen interest in our environment and fantastic that as a council we’re able to help them bring some of these projects to life.”

Councillor Stolwerk says the diverse projects ELF would help pay for included a possum fur plucker, beehive and beekeeping equipment and stream health monitoring kits.

Successful applicants (grouped by district) and the amount funded are:

Far North:

Mangonui School; $500, for Rangikapiti Reserve restoration
Totara North School; $535, for a stream health monitoring kit
Kaikohe East School; $1000, for a stream clean-up project
Taipa Area School; $1224, plant nursery for a shade house
Paihia School; $1500, for a stream conservation/bird corridor project.

Whangarei:

Otaika Valley; $500, for native plants to attract bees, butterflies and birds
Whananaki School; $500, for a shade house irrigation system
Whangarei Primary; $535, for a stream health monitoring kit
Ruakaka School; $700, for butterfly houses and bee gardens
Tikipunga High School; $700, for Pehiaweri Marae wetland restoration
Tauraroa Area School; $700, to help grow riparian plants
Hora Hora School; $870, for a stream restoration project
Bream Bay College; $1000, for Takahiwai wetland restoration
Hukerenui School; $1500 for greenhouse and beekeeping equipment
Kamo Intermediate; $1500, for shadehouse
Kamo Primary; $1500, for beehive and beekeeping equipment
Portland Primary; $1500, for shade house and native plants
Waiotira School, $2000, for shadehouse

Kaipara:

Ruawai College; $1000, for beekeeping equipment
Dargaville High School; $1500, towards a possum fur plucker
Tangowahine School; $1500, for a plant nursery

ENDS

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