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Clean Water Project Wins School Environment Awards

Thursday 13 December 2012, 3:52PM

By Marlborough District Council

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MARLBOROUGH

Springlands School has taken first prize in the 2012 School Environment Awards for their Fish on Drains project, which raises awareness about keeping paint, oil and other rubbish out of the waterways.

The Springlands Go-MAD (Make A Difference) team got advice from Council staff about water quality and river ecosystems and they received Council funding for the blue fish that go on the drains. They also entered their Taylor River Writers Walk, which features poems to add to the appreciation and enjoyment of the area. Springlands School won $500.

Runner-up award winner Renwick School has included the Fish on Drains as part of their entry to clean up the School Creek in partnership with their neighbours.

Also winning a runner-up award, Spring Creek School has added to its orchard area with an enclosed edible garden to protect produce from birds, vandals and other unwelcome visitors. Each runner-up school received $250.

Presenting the awards, Deputy Mayor Jenny Andrews commended all the entrants for looking inside their school grounds or nearby in their neighbourhood to take action.

“Many people think the environment is a big thing, somewhere out there, but in fact it is our homes, our schools and our local communities. It’s great that you are making a difference in your own patch and taking inspiration from each other.”

The School Awards are run alongside the Marlborough Environment Awards, which will be announced on March 1.