Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Sustainability Education rewards excellence in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs for environmental sustainability education.

 

The prize commemorates the outstanding work and untiring devotion to education related to the environment over 40 years by Allen Strom - considered by many as one of the founders of the conservation movement in New South Wales.

 

The prize reflects the New South Wales Government's recognition of the vital role that education can play in promoting understanding of and responses to environmental sustainability issues in the community.

The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Sustainability Education is awarded for an outstanding program that has contributed to behavioural change among individuals and organisations and has led to changed practices and environmental improvement. The winning entry will be publicised as an innovative, leading edge model for environmental sustainability education. Programs nominated/entered must have these characteristics.

 

“Education for sustainability motivates, equips, and involves both individuals and communities in reflecting on how they currently live and work. This assists them in making informed decisions and creating ways to work towards a more sustainable world. Learning for sustainability seeks to implement systematic change within the wider community.” (NSW Council on Environmental Education. Draft Learning for Sustainability: NSW Environmental Education Plan 2006-2009, 2005. p.ii).

 

Sustainability is defined as "the goal to be achieved through ecologically sustainable development. It refers to the ability to continue an activity into the future or maintain a state or condition undiminished (or enhanced) over time. Sustainability involves integrated ecological, personal and social (including economic) goals and implies changes in behaviour and practice by individuals and organisations." (CEE, Draft Learning for Sustainability: NSW Environmental Education Plan 2006-2009, 2005. p.iii.).