Seed Funding to help grow little learners

5 years ago | by Melissa Nunn

The Friends of the North Coast Botanic Gardens have generously donated $20,000 to Prosper Coffs Harbour Environmental Trust for the development of a Children’s Environmental Education Garden.

The Children’s Environmental Education Garden will be located in the North Coast Botanic Gardens and provide a dedicated space for environmental education for School groups. Lindy Hills, President of the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, says “we are pleased to be able to assist in providing a resource for students for both formal and informal learning. The Friends of the Botanic Garden see the Children’s Environmental Education Garden as an exciting way of fostering horticultural and botanical knowledge into the future”.

The Children’s Environmental Education Garden will be located near the water wise garden in the Prime Display Area of the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. The area will include an education centre to facilitate presentations and digging garden for students to get their hands dirty learning how to plant, grown and compost.

The North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens has reported that up to 2,500 students visit for education purposes each year and another 1,000 attend for back to nature experiences. With no dedicated space for outdoor education, the Children’s Environmental Education Garden will fulfil this need in partnership with the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.

Prosper Coffs Harbour Environmental Trust Manager, Melissa Nunn says, “by establishing the Children’s Environmental Education Garden we hope to inspire the love of the great outdoors for the next generation. The area will be central to not only children’s education, but also teaching them life skills such as problem solving, teamwork and creativity. However, to complete this important project for the community, we need more financial support. The Prosper Coffs Harbour Environmental Trust will be looking for donations and grants over the coming months to secure the remaining funds required.”

If you are interested in supporting this vital project for the community and would like to make a contribution please contact Melissa Nunn, Prosper Coffs Harbour on admin@prospercoffs.org.au or 0437 767 451.