matamata piako district counci l EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED Whanaungatanga Acng sustainably is no longer a choice: Humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively over the last 50 years than any other period in history. This includes high demand for food, fresh water and fuel in the quest for human wellbeing and economic development. “Everything is connected” has the potenal to explore connecons between and within natural ecosystems. This includes the relaonships between natural ecosystems and people. As well as the development of relaonships- both local and global, between people, groups, organisaons, and communies. It provides opportunies to consider both spiritual and scienfic explanaons of our world and tradional and contemporary approaches. ‘When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it is connected to everything else’. – John Muir. ENVIROSCHOOLS THEME AREAS • Me in My Environment • Living Landscapes • Water of Life • Energy! • Ecological Building • Zero Waste ECOSYSTEMS ARE COMPLEX They respond to internal and external influences both natural and human induced. They adapt, re-adjust and are oſten resilient. There is no returning to the original state. WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THESE NATURAL SYSTEMS THROUGH ALL THE ENVIROSCHOOLS THEME AREAS. We can make choices about how we connect with, impact or integrate these in our daily life. DESIGNS BASED ON NATURAL CYCLES AND SYSTEMS REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON NATURE. They help create healthy, peaceful, and efficient surroundings. Key Concepts WHEN WE CONNECT WITH OTHERS WE BUILD OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. We are part of and can contribute to our local, naonal and global community and have the benefit of both contemporary and tradional approaches. Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures Empowered students Sustainable Communities Learning for Sustainability Mãori Perspectives NOTHING EXISTS IN ISOLATION Plants, animals and people interact with each other and their environment and are all part of a dynamic web of life. People and Participation Tangata Practices Tikanga Place Wãhi Programmes Kaupapa ako Waikato Enviroschools acknowledge our funding partners. Their ongoing input and funding is essenal to the success of the Enviroschool programme throughout our region.