An environmental project by Kaikorai Valley College and school partners has received $15,000 of government funding as part of World Environment Day.
The project was one of three in Otago to receive funding, and one of more than 100 around the country which will mark New Zealand's hosting of World Environment Day on June 5.
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced the funding this week.
The project was aimed at assisting organisations, groups, schools and early childhood education centres which wished to undertake an event or activity during the week of World Environment Day (June 2-8).
As part of the Kaikorai Valley College and school partners project, primary and secondary schools in the wider community will be invited to walk from the estuary mouth and catchment head to a mid-point next to Kaikorai Stream at Kaikorai Valley College on June 3.
Pupils will be sponsored to a maximum of $4 ($1 per 500m) walked. Any funds generated will go to each school's environmental fund and the pupils will decide how to use the money to improve the environmental quality of their school or community.
Environmental activities and displays will be placed along the way, such as placing fish signs on stormwater gratings, riparian planting, land rubbish and stream clean ups.
Other Otago projects to receive funding were Waitati School ($804) and The Sustainable Living Reference Group in Alexandra ($4250).
Waitati School's project focuses on the carbon footprint of food production and distribution. Pupils will log their food consumption over World Environment week to record what is eaten, where it comes from and what is known about the carbon footprint of the food producers, distributors and outlets.
The school will also host an event on June 5 for pupils and their families to launch plans for the school kitchen's management plan, based on their project results, and to form a partnership with local gardeners to develop and maintain their kitchen garden.
Pupils and parents will be asked to catch the bus, walk, ride bicycles or car-share to school on June 5 for the event.
The Sustainable Living Reference Group will hold activities aimed at encouraging people to reduce, re-use and recycle materials normally destined for landfill for the period June 4-6.