Junior Environmental Teams
West Lothian Council is piloting a new Junior Environmental Scheme, the first of its kind in Scotland. The Junior Environemtal Scheme is being lead through a partnership between NETs and Land Services and Education, with Williamston Primary School in Livingston chosen to head up the pilot and form the first Junior Environmental Team (JETs). Once it is succesful it can hopefully be rolled out to other areas, including Secondary Schools in West Lothian.
The Junior Environmental Scheme provides complimentary education and practical experience in the following areas: environmental issues, health, personal safety and well being.
It is hoped that through the scheme those participating will be made more aware of their role, responsibility and worth in the community, understand the effects of all types of behaviour and the environmental impact they can make within the community both good and bad. It is intended that this in turn will create a positive ethos and pride in their community and an improved interaction with adults.
Children will also have the opportunity to question those that make decisions that affect their everday lives.
The Scheme will lead the children through various projects and activities such as:
- Class / School environmental and good citizens projects
- Community Clean Ups
- Litter Picking / Landscapping projects within school grounds
- Tree and Shrub planting within local area
- Presentations within schools by relevant speakers
- Involvement with local NETs and Land Services teams activities
- Involvement with local and national environmental agencies
As well as benefitting the members of the JETs the scheme will also allow for an increased involvement in the community, improve recognition and communication and create a higher profile for the scheme and those taking part.
The scheme will provide numerous benefits to groups and individuals in the participating community. Those schemes running in England have all demonstrated positive benefits in improved behaviour and attitude from those involved.
The scheme is being run in partnership with and is supported by a number of local and national environmental agencies such as SEPA, The Woodlands Trust, Keep Scotland Beautiful, The Forestry Commision as well as Oatridge College.
This initiative will be a first for West Lothian Council.
Pilot Scheme
Williamston Primary School, Murieston has been chosen to run the pilot shceme, which will run for approximately 18 months from Spring 2008 until the Summer of 2009. The pilot will begin with the current primary 4 pupils and then continue with them into Primary 5 for the whole of the 2008/2009 school session.
The Scheme with be run by the NETs and Land Services Environmental Wardens who will be responsible for liasing with the School. The ultimate aim is for the School to become self sufficient with the wardens acting as facilitators.
Contacts
JETs now have their own e-mail address, so if you wish to contact the Environmental Wardens for further information regarding the scheme please e-mail them at JETs@westlothian.gov.uk