Sustainability Calendar Creating a better energy future

Water Stewardship Growth of Renewable Energy Energy Solutions Growth of Renewable Energy Engaged Communities Working Sustainably

PRACTICAL CLASSROOM/SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE AND CELEBRATE SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY THEMES FOR A MONTH BY MONTH CLASSROOM FOCUS

MONTH THEME WEBSITES/VIDEOS FOR INFORMATION AND LESSON IDEASFebruary/MarchAprilMay/June

July/AugustSeptemberNovemberDecember

Recycle MonthEnergy ConservationEnvironment Months

Re-use/Reduce MonthConservation MonthBeautification MonthVolunteer Month

recycle.co.nz aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (search box recycling) sciencekids.co.nz/recycling.html kidsrecycle.orgsciencekids.co.nz (search box energy saving) energywise.govt.nz/tools energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_indexdoc.govt.nz/getting-involved/home-and-garden/involve-the-family/meet-the-locals-videos mfe.govt.nz/issuessciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Enviro-imprints/NZ-Research/Enviro-imprintsrecycling-guide.org.uk www2.epa.gov/recycle recycle.co.nz kidsrecycle.org sciencekids.co.nz/recycling.html doc.govt.nz/conservation kcc.org.nz teara.govt.nz/en/conservation-a-history nzconservationtrust.org.nzteara.govt.nz/en/city-parks-and-green-spaces education.com/reference/article/Ref_Ten_Environmentaldoc.govt.nz/getting-involved conservationvolunteers.org.nz wwf.org.nz/take_action/volunteer

TERM ONE – (Between Mon 27 January-7 February to Thursday 17 April

• Design and create your own Pinterest boards of pictures and resources related to sustainability topics to share with other classes and schools. • Devise and design fridge reminders and slogans for bumper stickers.• Design and display posters at a local shopping centre to raise awareness of sustainability.• Plan and carry out a major sustainability project such as a beach or districtclean-uporlocalnativetreeplantingandbeautification.• Present ‘eco-warrior’certificatesonaregularbasisforgoodworkdone.• Encourage recycling at home and at school. • Devise and carry out school and home energy saving programmes.

• Write a report and/or letters to the local paper highlighting local environmental issues and actions that are being or could be taken.• Write poems and short stories highlighting sustainability issues. Read at assembly and display prominently around the school.• Compose and enact a drama to highlight a sustainability issue.• Groups shoot video of their sustainability projects and place on YouTube.• Develop sustainability pages for the class/school website.• Find out what local sustainability projects are being carried out and invite coordinators to talk about their projects. Can students help, eg supporting, or helping with predator trapping in your area.

EVENT/DAY/WEEK DATE(S) WEBSITES/VIDEOS FOR INFORMATION AND LESSON IDEAS

World Wetlands Day

BikewiseCharles Darwin DayGo By Bike DaySeaweek

Children’s DayInternational Forestry DayWorld Water DayWorld Meteorological DayEarth Hour (8.30 pm)

Earth Day or Earth Week

2 February

All February12 February12 February1–9 March

2 March21 March22 March23 March29 March

22 April

wetlandtrust.org.nz/wwday.html doc.govt.nz/getting-involved (search for world wetlands day)fishandgame.org.nz/world-wetlands-day waikatoregion.govt.nz (search for wetlands)bikewise.co.nz/resources bikewise.co.nz/bikes-riding/cycle-safetytes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6176870 (teaching resources/lesson plans and more)bikewise.co.nz/events/go-bike-day www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTcQ4_q1Bp0seaweek.org.nz doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/seaweekoceansforyouth.org/resources.htmlchildrensday.org.nzinsights.co.nz tree-nation.com/257346waternz.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=295 mfe.govt.nz/issues/waterhttp://about.metservice.com/about-metservice (select Learning Centre to choose a topic)wwf.org.nz/take_action/earth_hour youtube.com/watch?v=2UywrjnOaUE&feature=youtu.bewww.earthhour.orgeducationworld.com/holidays/archives/earthday.shtmlhttp://olc.spsd.sk.ca/teachers/month/april/earthday.html

As a teacher of sustainability, you’re helping kiwi kids to create a better future. At Meridian we’re working hard to create a future powered by renewable energy. Our commitment to generating power from water and wind is our greatest contribution to New Zealand’s sustainability.

New Zealand has some of the best wind resources in the world, and our four wind farms make the most of this asset. Our wet climate provides a great source of water for Meridian’s seven South Island hydro power stations. We built the southern-most wind farm on Ross Island, Antarctica in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, and we’re currently building another wind farm just north of Wellington, Project Mill Creek.

Important Dates for 2014

Water Stewardship Growth of Renewable Energy Energy Solutions Growth of Renewable Energy Engaged Communities Working Sustainably

TERM TWO – MONDAY 5 MAY – FRIDAY 4 JULYEVENT/DAY/WEEK DATE(S) WEBSITES/VIDEOS FOR INFORMATION AND LESSON IDEASWorld Migratory Birds DayInternational Biodiversity Day

World Turtle DayWorld Environment DayArbor Day

World Oceans Day

Red Socks DayWorld Population Day

10-11 May22 May

23 May5 June5 June

8 June

4 July11 July

birdday.org/education worldmigratorybirdday.org doc.org.nz (search words: migrartoy birds)biodiversity.govt.nz teara.govt.nz/en/conservation-a-historydoc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/outdoor-and-classroom-activities/biodiversitynmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/turtles.htm lessonplanet.com (search word: turtles) nzscienceteacher.co.nz (search words environment day) http://vimeo.com/48806033tfsnz.org.nz www2.arborday.org/arborday/classroom.cfm?http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/ArborDayBook-naturalenvironment.pdfearthtimes.org/encyclopaedia/environmental-issues/oceans doc.govt.nz/conservation (select Marine)www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/nature/greatbarrierreef.html (Great Barrier Reef Video)sirpeterblaketrust.org/get-involved/red-socks-day www.youtube.com/watch?v=irokmunnOtUhttp://keaconservation.co.nz/thestateofourplanet.html worldof7billion.org/teacher_resources

TERM THREE – MONDAY 21 JULY – FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBEREVENT/DAY/WEEK DATE(S) WEBSITES/VIDEOS FOR INFORMATION AND LESSON IDEAS

Schools Peace WeekAgainst Nuclear Tests DayConservation Week/Frog Week

Keep NZ Beautiful WeekWorld Car Free DayWorld Rivers DayWorld Animal Day/WeekWorld Habitat DayWorld Space Week

4–8 August29 August7–14 September

14–20 September22 September29 September4 October7 October4-10 October

www.peace.net.nz www.internationaldayofpeace.orghttp://youtu.be/C5PRZh_C0e4 http://youtu.be/7VGaCpHeRGQdoc.goct.nz (search for conservation week) nzfrogs.org Resources/Frog+Week.htmldoc.govt.nz/getting-involved/home-and-garden/involve-the-family/meet-the-locals-videos/conservation-week-specials (Meet the Locals Video Series)knzb.org.nz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUPCxboeU1Iworldcarfree.net/wcfd/faq.phpinternationalrivers.org/tools-for-educators (celebrate term 3 or 4worldanimalday.org.uk wspa.org.nz (celebrate term 3 or 4)www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=643 (celebrate term 3 or 4)worldspaceweek.org (search word: education) Celebrate term 3 or 4

TERM FOUR – MONDAY 30 OCTOBER – NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 19 DECEMBEREVENT/DAY/WEEK DATE(S) WEBSITES/VIDEOS FOR INFORMATION AND LESSON IDEAS

Rain Forest Week

World Food Day

Save Kiwis WeekWorld Fisheries DayHuman Rights Day

International Mountain Day

11–17 October

16 October

20–26 October21 November10 December

11 December

rainforest-alliance.org http://rainforestheroes.com http://kids.mongabay.comwww.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/movies.html (6 movies)pbs.org/newshour/extra/2013/10/world-food-day-resources wfp.org/students-and-teachers/classroom-activities foodday.org/schoolskiwisforkiwi.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGjmdLixy30 kcc.org.nz/kiwihttp://r4r.ca/en/theme/fisheries-day http://hiwithekiwi.co.nz/resourceshrc.co.nz/human-rights-environment humanrightseducation.info/teach-others/primary.htmlneok12.com/Mountains.htm sciencekids.co.nz/earth.html

At Meridian, sustainability is about more than generating renewable energy. We’re working closely with organisations like DOC to effectively manage our water catchments, and EECA to provide energy efficient solutions. We engage with the communities we operate in, providing support for community projects and undertaking environmental restoration programmes. We also walk the talk in our own operations – reducing travel waste, energy and water use wherever possible.

Working sustainably means we’re leaving a legacy we can be proud of. Good luck for your 2014 teaching year. You’re helping to create a better future for us all! Visit us at meridian.co.nz