Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen said the grants were about funding grassroots projects to teach the local students how to live more sustainably.   

“Clarence Town Public School and Scone Public School have each pocketed $3500 to deliver hands-on environmental education,” he said.

“Clarence Town will use the grant to establish a Crunch and Sip Garden to educate students on the importance of nutrition for health and wellbeing.

“Scone Public will use the grant to create a bee friendly, native garden in the school to attract more pollinators. 

“These grants are an important investment in our future – research shows that this can help create better environmental awareness later in life.”

The Eco Schools Grant Program aims to help give kids a hands-on environmental education in their schools.   

Across NSW almost $260,000 in grants were awarded this year for projects due to start in the first term of 2018, with 74 schools each receiving $3500 to fund hands-on environmental education. 

For more information about the grants and how to apply, visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/schools.htm