The next generation of environmental champions are set to benefit from the largest ever round of Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants, with more than 1600 primary schools and early learning centres recipients this year receivingas almost $2 million in grants from Woolworths and Landcare Australia. The grants will help students enhance native habitats, improve sustainable food production and recycling or support waste management projects at their school.

This year’s grants also placed an emphasis on the importance of bees and pollinators in the environment with applicants offered extra funding of up to $500 for projects that directly support the conservation of Australia’s bee population.

More than 1,000 primary schools and early learning centres are set to receive this “Bee Bonus,” which will go towards the development of native beehives, pollinator gardens or bee education programs.

Woolworths General Manager Community, Peter O’Sullivan said: “We’re pleased to help schools create a better tomorrow though this year’s record level of Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants.

“The grants will not only help schools create and maintain projects that support their community going greener, but will have students buzzing with the ability to support projects that protect our native bee population,” he said.

The 2021 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant Program is the third round of funding for the program and to date Woolworths has contributed over $3 million to more than 2,760 projects across Australia.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish said: “The Junior Landcare Program recognises the vital role young Australians play in caring for the land, their environment and other natural resources. Through this major grants program, Woolworths shares Junior Landcare’s commitment to helping develop students’ skills and knowledge to become the landcarers of the future.”

The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program is funded with contributions from the full price sale of the Woolworths Bag for Good™, which was launched in 2018 when Woolworths went single-use plastic bag free.