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When teacher Caroline Harkins set out to spark deeper sustainability learning at Adelaide’s Grange Primary School in 2022, she set up the Grange Green Beans, which has quickly grown into an active and impactful student-led program. Drawing on Junior Landcare Learning Centre and Educator Hub resources, Caroline has inspired students, engaged families, and built partnerships with the local council. This month she shares with the Junior Landcarer her insights for educators looking to engage students in sustainability learning, the rewarding journey behind the program’s success and the impact it’s having across the school community.

What inspired you to spark student interest in sustainability at Grange Primary School?

Sustainability has always been a passion of mine, and my time in accredited Eco Schools in Scotland really cemented that. When I joined Grange Primary, I saw an opportunity to strengthen and make sustainability more visible within the school community. Students, and even a few enthusiastic parents, were already expressing a genuine interest, which showed me there was real potential to grow this area. With the support of the leadership team, I was able to establish an Eco Committee, creating a structured way for students to engage with sustainability and take meaningful action across the school.

What positive changes have you seen in students since they became part of the Grange Green Beans?

The Grange Green Beans are an incredibly passionate group of students who genuinely care about the environment. I’ve seen students become much more actively engaged in sustainable actions across the school. They’ve taken real ownership, from helping their peers with waste management and recycling, to boosting biodiversity by working with Charles Sturt Council. They planted native trees, shrubs and groundcovers as part of reinvigorating our once-patchy school verge for National Schools Tree Day.

What’s been most rewarding is seeing how their involvement has transformed their mindset. When students play a hands-on role in improving their environment, they become more invested, more responsible and more collaborative. Being part of the Green Beans has truly strengthened their sense of teamwork, stewardship and care for the natural world.

What tips would you share with teachers who want to start or grow sustainability and environmental projects at their own school?

My biggest tip is to start small and build gradually each year. Sustainability doesn’t have to begin with a huge project. Often, the most meaningful change comes from small, consistent actions. It’s also helpful to find like-minded staff and parents who are passionate about the environment. Collaboration not only lightens the load, but it also brings a variety of ideas and strengths to the table.

There are many fantastic online resources available, sometimes too many, but a great starting point is the Junior Landcare website. Their Learning Centre and Educator Hub offer practical, curriculum-aligned materials, and the video library is excellent for sparking student curiosity. The events calendar is also useful for finding meaningful, real-world links to sustainability events and activities.

Most importantly, remember that environmental education is naturally engaging for students and doesn’t need to be an ‘add-on.’ With a bit of creativity, it can be woven into the curriculum and into everyday school life.

Why do you believe Junior Landcare and other hands-on environmental education programs are so valuable for young people today?

Junior Landcare and other hands-on environmental education programs are incredibly valuable for young people today because they help us ‘sow the seeds’ for future generations. As environmental challenges grow, it’s essential that young people feel confident, informed and motivated to think critically, take meaningful action and contribute to long-term solutions.

Programs like these play a vital role in helping students reconnect with nature at a time when many children are spending less time outdoors. Hands-on experiences nurture wellbeing, build confidence, and give young people a powerful sense of purpose as they learn to care for something bigger than themselves. It encourages stewardship, empathy and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world—all qualities we need in the environmental leaders of tomorrow. To find out more about the learning activities with curriculum and framework links Read More here.