Community Education

A National Review of Environmental

Education and its Contribution to
Sustainability in Australia
- Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

‘Environmental Education with a sustainability focus in the

community aims to enhance social capital, build community
capacity for decision-making, develop community leadership
capabilities and improve the environment.’

■ The Series
Current Situation it is being recognised that learning
and action for sustainability involve
The non-formal education of democratic, negotiated and pragmatic
This summary of key findings is derived
from Volume 3 of a five part series that the community is an important engagement, and that community
reviews Environmental Education and its
component of lifelong learning, and (re)action alone will not achieve the
contribution to sustainability in Australia.
The research was undertaken by the plays a significant role in creating an level of change required to achieve
Australian Research Institute in Education informed, empowered and just society. sustainability. This provokes the
for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian question of what capacity building is
Government Department of the Environment Community Environmental Education
and Heritage. The series is titled ‘A National can be critical to encouraging required for communities to make the
Review of Environmental Education and its sustainability in local areas. leap from participation in (re)action
Contribution to Sustainability in Australia’ and for the environment to participating in
covers the following areas:
Environmental Education programs more systemic change for sustainability?
Volume 1: Frameworks for Sustainability
targeted at the community vary
Volume 2: School Education The community education sector
Volume 3: Community Education considerably. Some have a focus on
Volume 4: Business and Industry Education providing environmental information needs to understand best practice in
Volume 5: Further and Higher Education
and raising awareness, others involve Environmental Education. This will
consultation or the community taking allow us to evaluate the effectiveness
action. Recently Environmental of existing programs and our progress
■ What is Learning for Education programs have become towards long-lasting change for
Sustainabilty? broader and more targeted at sustainability. This knowledge could
community change. also be used in the design and delivery
Learning for sustainability (also referred
to as ‘education for sustainability’ or of future Environmental Education
‘education for sustainable development’)
provides a new approach for current practice
What is Needed programs for the sector.
in Environmental Education. This new
approach attempts to move beyond education In practice, community Environmental Increasingly, and as a result of the
in and about the environment approaches
Education in Australia has evolved sustainability agenda, community
to focus on equipping learners with the
over time to result in diverse programs Environmental Education is concerned
necessary skills to be able to take positive
action to address a range of sustainability by government and non-government with the ability of the community to
issues. Learning for sustainability motivates,
organisations. Traditionally, while participate, influence, share and/or
equips and involves both individuals and
communities in reflecting on how they citizens have been active in alleviating control the decision-making process.
currently live and work. This assists them in environmental problems, they did not Building these capacities is a core
making informed decisions and creating ways objective of learning for sustainability
to work towards a more sustainable world. usually address issues of sustainability
Learning for sustainability aims to go beyond at their source. Increasingly, however, and what differentiates it from previous
individual behaviour change or single actions community education approaches.
often associated with education for the
environment. It seeks to implement systemic
change within the wider community.

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

About this Report authorities struggle to implement these

■ Types of Community
initiatives as local government staff
have limited training (or workplace Environmental Education
This report is the first national review
of its type undertaken in Australia and support) regarding Local Agenda The various types of Community
one of few attempts around the world 21 approaches such as planning for Environmental Education and their
to capture needs and opportunities in sustainability or participatory learning alignment with the principles of learning
for sustainability are mapped out below.
this area. This report consolidates and and change in the community. This scale highlights the increasing level of
builds upon the previous studies and community learning and ability to think and
provides a review of Environmental To date community action programs act towards sustainability:
Education and its contribution to have focused on a ‘hands on’ approach 1. Information Sharing and Awareness
sustainability in the community sector and have involved communities Raising - from ‘expert’ to learner.
in Australia. It represents a snapshot of
in addressing local environmental
the current context through a review 2. Material Incentives in Participation
degradation problems. While - engages the community in an activity for
of programs and emerging trends. A
number of key themes were identified: these programs are enabling some a potential cost-saving or reward.
positive environmental outcomes,
3. Consultation - issues presented to
i) Local Agenda 21 and Local most of these programs have not and discussed with community but there
Government; built the capacity of volunteers to is no obligation for authorities to accept
community views.
manage change (predominately
ii) Community Action Programs; social change) for sustainability. As 4. Community Action - participants are
a result, volunteers may not be able actively involved in a project. Although
iii) Social Marketing; these projects are typically pre-determined
to participate in decision-making and only provide end-of-pipe solutions.
concerning sustainability issues at
iv) Interpretation; 5. Community Capacity Building
their core, rather they are involved in
- participants develop skills and capacity to
v) Environmental Education in pre-determined projects. Action learning effectively engage in community decision
Communities of Culturally and is offered as a suitable methodology making.

Linguistically Diverse to engage community volunteers in

6. Learning for Sustainability - focuses
Backgrounds; and learning for sustainability approaches on ‘critical reflection’, futures thinking and
to Environmental Education, whilst action learning. Participants gain skills to
enact and embed change in practice.
vi) Facilitation and Mentoring. continuing to generate action through
conservation and restoration programs.
What are the Gaps?
Studies have shown that whilst ■ Mittagong Forum
Currently in Australia there are a traditional social marketing The Mittagong Forum, a group of 25
range of methods and tools used to approaches have enhanced knowledge Australian environmental NGOs, was
deliver Environmental Education in and awareness of environmental issues, funded in its first 5 years from a one-off,
un-tied grant from the Poola Foundation, a
the community. The motivation and they have had little impact on the philanthropic organisation. The grant enabled
ability of the community to participate attainment of long term environmental its members to focus intensively on leadership
in the processes for sustainability is outcomes. However, recently a small development and capacity building within
the Australian Environment Movement.
predominantly dependent on the type number of social marketing campaigns One result has been a reorientation of focus
of approach used. have been integrating aspects of to establishing learning cultures within the
reflective learning approaches, which environment movement by prioritising
education and capacity building as a key
Local Agenda 21 initiatives aim at may help overcome its limitations. to successful environmental campaign
involving the community in decision- outcomes.
making for their local environment and Interpretation is used to increase
Mittagong Forum (2004)
offer great opportunities for extending understanding of the natural See: http://environment.org.au/about/
learning for sustainability across the environment and cultural heritage.
community. However, some local Focused on the experience of the

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

learner as a tool for understanding, Although these tools have only recently
■ The Watershed Volunteer a handful of interpretation programs been adopted and used in the field of
Education Program are beginning to integrate critical community Environmental Education,
The Watershed program educates volunteers
thinking and reflection processes. the results thus far have shown they are
to become environmental educators. Although at this stage limited in important and valuable in achieving
Watershed staff mentor and engage volunteers scope, the emerging shift towards change for sustainability.
in action learning and action research,
building volunteer capacities in designing more learner-centred approaches and
education programs. The programs engage engaging communities in designing As many community Environmental
and empower the communities to make and implementing interpretation Education are heavily reliant on
informed decisions regarding change for
sustainability. The approach is uniquely is encouraging. By reorienting external sources of funds, funding
different from other volunteer programs as interpretation techniques so that bodies in this sector have an
it encourages volunteers to explore and share they involve the learner in a process important role in shaping the
their own learning experiences, contributing
to sustainability. This freedom for volunteers of reflection and critical thinking, structures and processes used. One
has resulted in highly innovative, informed the interpretation process opens up significant challenge for community
and energised education programs, and has
learners to new understandings aligned Environmental Education in Australia
enabled the Watershed to have a far greater
reach than their permanent officers alone with the principles of learning for is for governments, in partnership
could achieve. sustainability. with community groups and local
Marrickville Council (2004) The Watershed
businesses, to develop new criteria
Volunteer Education Program. Available at: The majority of Environmental for evaluating the effectiveness of
http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au Education programs available for community participation in achieving
communities of culturally and sustainability outcomes.
linguistically diverse backgrounds
■ Facilitation Using are still confined to information and In the future, in order to strengthen
Deliberative Democracy awareness raising. Some are beginning
its contribution to sustainability,
to build community capacity and
community based Environmental
Elton Consulting acted as independent provide opportunities for community
facilitators on the Bronte Catchment Project, members to participate in decision- Education will need to:
which was innovative in its processes of
deliberative democracy and community
making and change for sustainability.
participation to improve water quality at This has been possible by adopting ● Build the capacity of community
Bronte Beach, Sydney. The project resulted more action-oriented methodologies based educators in learning for
in a demonstrated shift in perspectives across which are associated with learning sustainability approaches;
community groups and precincts, from
minority and special interest views, to a
for sustainability. For example, action
position of collective and general interests. research which engages the community ● Provide incentives and support to
through an action oriented, context include education and learning in
‘A process of deliberative democracy assumes specific, learning process.
that citizens who are given comprehensive, community environmental and
detailed information can produce high sustainability programs; and
quality recommendations that can be Facilitation and mentoring are
implemented and achieved.’ emerging as appropriate tools for ● Develop strategic networks and
Elton Consulting (2001, p.1) Enhanced learning and change for sustainability. partnerships between government,
Stormwater Management Through Local Mentoring aids in overcoming the community groups and citizens
Community Participation, Draft: The Bronte barriers associated with translating
Catchment Project. Available at: http://www. for more coherent and consistent
elton.com.au/publications.htm learning into action for change. education actions for sustainability.

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

■ Local Government Environmental

Education Strategies
Many local government strategies have
been informed by Local Agenda 21 and
other international documents. ‘The Manly
Education for Sustainability Strategy’ is an
example of this:

‘promote and guide a holistic, strategic

and coordinated approach to education for
sustainability, which builds the capacity of
the community to be informed and active
participants in moving Manly towards
sustainability.’

Manly Council (2003, p 6) The Manly

Education for Sustainability Strategy
Available at: http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/

Recommendations For Government:

1. Realign existing funding
■ LA21 Initiatives
The research undertaken by the programs to support funding for:
Australian Research Institute in ‘Alexandrina Council has successfully
a. Training community educators, integrated its environmental, economic and
Education for Sustainability has social goals into its strategic planning process.
revealed a number of key needs. both government and non- The project is a solid demonstration that
The recommendations identify government, in learning for smaller, rural councils are able to engage in and
sustainability approaches to benefit from applying Local Agenda 21.
practical steps at a policy, practice and
research level that could strengthen Environmental Education; The Council’s willingness to open up
decision-making processes to the community
the contribution of Environmental is testimony of an open and inclusive Council
b. Programs from community action
Education towards sustainability Engagement of younger people, older people
groups and interpreters that and indigenous people is a reflection of intent
within the community sector.
develop action-oriented, futures to communicate effectively and be open to
focused, systemic and reflective receiving criticism.’
approaches - aligned with learning
Department of Transport and Regional
for sustainability approaches; Services (2003) Leading Practice in Local
Government: Integrating sustainability at
c. More opportunities in facilitation Alexandrina Council, Australian Government.
and mentoring; Available at: http://dynamic.dotars.gov.
au/nolg/nalg/entry_detail.aspx?entry=2049

d. Programs targeted at communities

of culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds that go
beyond the translation of materials
into different languages.

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

For Community Educators: For Researchers:

■ ‘It’s How You Get 2. Value add to current Local 7. Research needs to be undertaken
There That Counts’ Agenda 21 initiatives by introducing to determine how social
a mentoring program for local marketing approaches can be
TravelSmart is a Western Australian
Government initiative that began in 1997 governments across Australia, better integrated with other more
with the aim of stimulating people to in sustainability and learning participatory approaches to ensure
voluntarily change their travel behaviour. for sustainability approaches to
The initiative aimed to complement existing environmental outcomes.
Environmental Education.
transport infrastructure and service provision
through providing the skills and information
needed to empower people to use alternative 3. Develop and deliver programs 8. Research and develop a national
forms of transport. for environmental educators framework for learning for
that expose a range of different sustainability within the
The initiative involved an Individualised
Marketing campaign, along with Workplace, approaches to Environmental community. This framework could
School, Local Government and Major Education (e.g. community be made available via the web and
Destination Programs. It largely utilised engagement, social marketing, would guide community educators
social marketing and commitment strategies facilitation, mentoring and action
for achieving change. The campaign involved struggling to engage people in
home visits, providing respondents with research), including their features, sustainability issues as well as those
either a reward or information materials benefits and limitations. wanting to improve environmental
about public transport. Program participants
were also requested to consider making a outcomes of their programs.
4. Develop and deliver programs for
small change in their travel behaviour, to use
an alternative to the car as a ‘driver only’ for 2 interpreters in conjunction with
9. Research and develop a case
to 3 trips out of 19 per week. peak industry bodies (such as
Interpretation Australia Association) study resource for local
In the City of South Perth alone the program which highlight the processes used government educators on the
has resulted in 90% increase in cycling, 20%
to engage citizens in ‘critical’ and principles of Local Agenda 21,
increase in public transport use, and 16%
increase in walking trips. Consistently, it action-oriented interpretation aligned learning based strategies for change
involved a 10% decrease in single occupant with learning for sustainability and community engagement
car use. These results have been found to be approaches to Environmental
highly cost effective both for the city, and the
processes. The resources would
citizens, and have been maintained for over Education. These programs should support the mentoring project
two years. The outcomes from this program be practical in nature and cover a described in recommendation 2.
are also expected to contribute to a reduction breadth of environments, including
in greenhouse gases and improved health. national parks, museums, urban 10. Research and develop a web site
Government of Western Australia (undated) environments, indigenous sites and
targeted towards community
Travel Smart ®: Helping to create a more heritage.
Sustainable WA by Empowering People to Use action groups demonstrating
Alternative to Car for their Transport Needs. 5. Develop a resource, based upon practical examples of how to
Available at: http://www.sustainability. best achieve environmental
dpc.wa.gov.au/CaseStudies/travelsmart/ the action research program for
travelsmart.htm communities of culturally and outcomes through learning.
linguistically diverse backgrounds This website should be practical
(see recommendation 12). This in nature offering examples of
resource should focus particularly how Environmental Education
on the success and effectiveness, as contributes to sustainability and
well as the issues and limitations, processes relevant to action groups.
of aligning culturally appropriate
education with learning for 11. Research and develop
sustainability principles.
guidelines for interpreters
on learning for sustainability
6. Establish a scholarship program
for the education and training of approaches to Environmental
bilingual educators and learning for Education and their implications
sustainability. for interpretation.

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 Education, Sustainability and Community

■ Market Gardeners and

Participatory Action Research
For the past decade, market gardening
communities of non-English speaking
backgrounds have been participating in
action research projects which focus on
environmental and health impacts of
pesticide use. The projects involve farmers
and their families from Chinese, Cambodian,
Lebanese, and Vietnamese backgrounds.
The project led to the empowerment of
the communities and the formation of the
Premier’s Task Force on Market Gardens.
As a result information, resources, and
support have been developed by, and for,
the farming families. Consequently, the
project has empowered communities to be
able to demand safe work regulations, and
has improved environmental management,
ensuring the farmers that their future
continues in this area.

Parker, F. Jarecki, S. Lai, K. Strong, V. Aditya,

12. Undertake an action research D. and Lee, N. (2002) ‘You’ve got to start
program with project officers somewhere: Learning with Chinese market
gardeners through partnerships.’ Popular
involved with communities of Education and Social Action. UTS December
culturally and linguistically diverse 2002.
backgrounds to assist with the
development of programs aligned
with learning for sustainability. ■ Collaborative Partnerships
A resource could be produced
to document the learning of this The WA Collaboration is a partnership
of Western Australian non-government
experience for others to use (see organisations that shape and promote
recommendation 5). the sustainability agenda for WA. The
WA Collaboration uses dialogue as an
education tool by encouraging broad
community discussion on important regional
sustainability issues. Community engagement
workshops and sustainability summits
resulted in the development of the document
‘Community Sustainability Agenda: Creating a
Just and Sustainable Western Australia’.

WA Collaboration (2003) What is

the WA Collaboration? Available at:
http://www.wacollaboration.org.
au/whatis_wacollaboration/index.htm

A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to

Sustainability in Australia: Community Education - Key Findings
 ■ Disclaimer:
The views expressed herein are not necessarily
the views of the Australian Government, and the
Government does not accept responsibility for any
information or advice contained herein.

‘Community ■ Citation:
Tilbury, D., Coleman, V., Jones, A. and MacMaster,
Environmental K. (2005) A National Review of Environmental
Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in
Education should strive Australia: Community Education - Key Findings.
Canberra: Australian Government Department of the
to be a continuous, Environment and Heritage and Australian Research

lifelong process that Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES).

focuses on the values,

skills and capacity that ■ Full Report:
This is an executive summary derived from
communities need a research report titled ‘A National Review of
Environmental Education and its Contribution to
to affect change for Sustainability in Australia: Community Education.’

sustainability.’ The report is available for download in PDF format

from www.aries.mq.edu.au and www.deh.gov.
au/education or contact the Australian Research
Institute in Education for Sustainability to obtain a
hard copy.

■ For further information please contact:

Environmental Education Section, Australian
Government Department of the Environment
and Heritage.
John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600
+61 2 6274 1111
www.deh.gov.au

Australian Research Institute in Education for

Sustainability
Macquarie University, Sydney NSW
www.aries.mq.edu.au

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