The Beagle
Nov 21, 2016
Council wins award for environmental education
Eurobodalla Shire Council has won a national award for outstanding achievement in environmental education in Narooma.
Council won the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Environmental Education Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in raising awareness in environmental sustainability.
Council was commended on its bi-annual ‘What’s under the wharf’ partnership with Batemans Bay Marine Park and Nature Coast Marine Group as a prime example of taking advantage of local expertise to educate the community about marine species and how litter from the uphill Narooma CBD can impact marine life.
Council’s fishing tackle recovery bins, ‘Enviro Treasure Hunt’ and ‘Take 3 for the Sea’ initiatives, as well as litter prevention activities, waste education workshops, water conservation education and marine debris clean-up training days, were also recognised by the judges.
“Environmental education in Narooma forms such a deep part of the tapestry of the beach community that it has become a part of most aspects of daily life,” it was stated at the awards.
“A diverse, creative and long-term education program that runs throughout Eurobodalla’s schools has led to past students becoming leaders in protecting Narooma’s natural beauty and marine treasures.”
Council’s Divisional Manager for Environmental Services Deb Lenson congratulated her team and the many partners and great volunteers involved.
“Council has recognised that to keep Narooma looking pristine and inviting to visitors and locals it is important to protect and enhance its natural assets,” she said.
“Council has put in place a wide variety of programs working closely with different organisations and volunteers to make this happen, not only in Narooma but across the whole of the Eurobodalla.
“We are so proud to have won this award – it is a testament to the community’s hard work in improving and protecting the natural environment and to be recognised nationally is fantastic.”
Council staff received the accolade on Thursday night at the national Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards, held in Frankston, Victoria, where Narooma local, 15-year-old Georgia Poyner, also won the Young Legends Award.
Media Release
Photo: (l-r) Eurobodalla Shire Council Environmental Project Officers Mitchell Jarvis and Tom Dexter, Invasive Species Supervisor Paul Martin, Divisional Manager for Environmental Services Deb Lenson and Sustainability Coordinator Mark Shorter with the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches award.