The green thumbed children at Katikati Kindergarten have been awarded the Silver Enviroschool status for their efforts to improve environmental sustainability.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman John Cronin is proud of the commitment the children have shown towards environmental sustainability.

Children enjoy the new playground at Katikati Kindergarten. Photo: Katikati Kindergarten.

'The children at the Katikati Kindergarten help make all the important decisions about their environment,” says John.

'They share the knowledge with the community which is a fantastic way to learn.”

Rather than buying new plastic playground equipment, the kindergarten built its own, resulting in an earth brick playground.

'This was designed with the children and made by the local community at a workshop early last year.

'They also built their own sun shade from natural materials, which they can move around as they choose,” says John.

'These young innovators have also implemented lots of water-saving features at the kindergarten, which means they can look after their own organic food garden with water from their tank, as well as feeding it with their composting and worm farming activities.”

John says the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is proud to support the Enviroschools programme and the Katikati Kindergarten has shown what a great difference it makes – not just for now, but for future generations.