2010 WA Environment Awards

West Australian secondary school students volunteering with the Rio Tinto Earth Assist program have had their hard work for the environment recognised in the 2010 WA Environment Awards.

In what is a rare outcome - Rio Tinto Earth Assist has been announced as a finalist in three categories of the Awards: Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Education & Communication, and Community Achievement - Metropolitan.

Rio Tinto Earth Assist is a Conservation Volunteers Australia program that aims to educate and engage students by encouraging them to volunteer in the environment. The success of the program demonstrates that young people are more than willing to give up their free time and are prepared to be proactive in doing their part for the environment.

The program coordinates active, hands on volunteering opportunities, giving teenagers the opportunity to make a positive impact on their local environment. The program takes 20 students out each day to sites around the metro area to participate in much needed environmental work such as planting native flora, monitoring endangered animals, and conducting beach cleanups.

Launched in May 2009 by Minister for Environment; Youth - Hon. Donna Faragher and Minister for Education; Tourism - Hon. Elizabeth Constable, the program works in partnership with the Department of Environment and the Conservation, Department of Education and Training and is supported by Rio Tinto Future Fund. Since its launch in May 2009, 35 schools from around the State have become involved and the program has facilitated over 1,500 student placements - contributing to over 12,500 hours of volunteer conservation work.

The projects students become involved with are varied, and recent projects include; Students in Karratha have designed and built a water-wise garden at the local police station, students from Busselton have helped Murdoch University research associates with their mussel life cycle and fauna surveys, and students from Manjimup have taken ownership of their local reserves to encourage rehabilitation of the local Woylie populations.

The program has even grown to include a number of courses officially recognised by the Curriculum Council of WA, meaning students can choose to enrol in a course which takes them out into nature as part of their regular school activities and is recognised on their Western Australian Certificate of Education.

Rio Tinto Earth Assist combines conservation with education, encouraging students to explore, ask questions and understand how important their influence and actions are in maintaining a sustainable future.

"The program gives high school students the opportunity to be part of the solution, rather than just feel overwhelmed by the problems in the environment," says Tracey Fuller, Program Manager. "It's such a privilege to be finalists in the WA Environment Awards because it demonstrates that the contribution and education of young people is highly valuable to the community and the way forward to achieve environmental change."

Rio Tinto Earth Assist is a unique partnership between Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department for Education and Training, and Rio Tinto. The whole program is supported and funded by the Rio Tinto Future Fund, a body committed to supporting State-wide projects that contribute to a stronger and more sustainable Western Australia.

Winners of the 2010 WA Environment Awards will be announced on Saturday the 6^th of November 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Perth formal dinner.  Photo opportunities available on the night and attached with this release.