A total of three Bay of Plenty Enviroschools have been recognised for their contribution to sustainability.

The Botanical Road Kindergarten in Tauranga, Tiaki Early Childhood Centre in Rotorua and Te Puna Kindergarten were awarded bronze for their contribution to sustainability last month.

Lessons about water sustainability are a feature at Te Puna Kindergarten, where a river runs through their playground, fed by a rainwater tank. Photo: Supplied.

The awards recognise the work of both staff and pupils throughout 2012 and the environmental changes they have made.

Regional Council Chairman John Cronin says it's terrific to see the sorts of changes being made in each of the three centres by the young people.

'We're talking about three and four-year-olds who are taking what they're learning during the day and passing it on to their parents and guardians.”

John says in a recent survey 14 Bay of Plenty parents were asked if their children tell them about environmental learning they were doing at kindergarten including energy, water and reducing waste for sustainability. More than 80 per cent of parents with kindergarten aged children said they are told.

Enviroschools is a programme encouraging schools and kindergartens to set sustainability goals for their community.

Progress is recognised by becoming a bronze, silver or green-gold Enviroschool. All three have introduced sustainability activities such as water conservation, waste minimisation, sustainable transport, and energy.

Botanical Road Kindergarten is most proud of their bird table. The children recognised a problem of what to do with bread scraps possibly attracting rats in their compost.

The children came up with a solution and designed and built a table for the birds.

The bird table is located near a window so they can watch the birds without disturbing them.

Tiaki Early Childhood Centre made the most of their natural surroundings making a bike track, feeding the hens and worms, turning the tap on to let the collected rainwater from the roof be used in their sandpit play, and watering their vegetable garden.

The students are taking what they learn about sustainability out into the community with walks collecting rubbish, and collecting paper from their homes to bring for Paper from Homes programme.

Te Puna Kindergarten has a river in their playground, fed by a rain water tank, with a tap the children can access.

The rain water tank has taught the children lessons in water sustainability.

Enviroschools is sponsored by Bay of Plenty Regional Council with support from Tauranga City Council and Tauranga Region Kindergarten Association.