Environmental Education Strategy - Campbelltown City Council ...

Environmental Education Strategy 2009-2012Section 1.0 - Introduction1.1 Role of Environmental EducationThere is a need to preserve our environment, both now and into the future. Ourhealth and wellbeing as a community is directly impacted upon by the quality of theenvironment in which we live. Additionally, the environment has an intrinsic value thatis beyond the scope of our wellbeing, that is, the environment deserves to beconserved for its own sake. For both of these reasons, we have an obligation toensure that this value can be preserved into the future.However when discussing the topic ofenvironment, there are a broad range oftopics that fall within its umbrella, and theseare often interrelated to one another. Someof the larger topics include such themes asbiodiversity, water quality, climate change,and sustainability. Each of these areas hasa number of different factors that can havean impact upon them, either directly orindirectly. By far the majority of theseimpacts occur as a result of people and theiractivities.As such, one of the key methods to ensuring the ongoing preservation of ourenvironment is to increase the community’s knowledge and awareness of it, and tofoster their appreciation for the environment. The process of undertaking activities ofthis nature is termed 'environmental education'.1.2 Structure of the StrategyThis Environmental Education Strategy consists of 4 main sections.• Section 1 – Introduction- The role of environmental education;- Purpose of the strategy;- Rationale behind the strategy;- Aims of the strategy;- Context of the strategy; and- Structure of the strategy.• Section 2 – Local setting of the strategy- Overview of the population and area;- Key stakeholders; and- Issues addressed by the strategy.Version 2.03 18/3/10Page 1 of 48