Grant to help fund fruit forest

FEDERAL State School (FSS) has received a grant to fund a new environmental project.

The local primary school was recently awarded a $1,000 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant to help create the Federal Fruit Forest.

FSS senior class teacher

Jake Bowers said the forest is an A to Z of fruit tree species.

“This project aims at building onto our school’s existing vegetable gardens and mini orchard.

“In part, it will assist students to recognise the letters of the alphabet and explore healthy eating options as well as fostering an appreciation for the environment.

“We are working with

Noosa Landcare, Grow Landscaping in Pomona, and Ross Creek Topicals to create our Federal Fruit Forest and hope that it grows an alphabet of fun fruits for us.”

Federal State School is one of 1,100 schools and early learning centres across Australia awarded grants to help build and develop hands-on environmental learning projects as part of the 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said Junior Landcare has recognised the vital role children and young people play in caring for the environment for over 25 years.

“Thanks to the Woolworths

Junior Landcare Grants, and the Woolworths-supported Junior Landcare Learning Centre, young people have an opportunity to experience hands-on learning with environmental education.”

Woolworths’ Cooroy district store manager Bryonie-Daisy Jupp said they hope grant recipients will have fun working on their new projects.

“Bringing the classroom to the great outdoors and encouraging kids to get hands-on with nature is always something we’re excited to see.”

To date, Woolworths has contributed over $5 million to more than 4,900 Junior Landcare projects across Australia, reaching more than 400,000 kids.