Rio Tinto Earth Assist delivers hands-on results
Students from more than 60 schools across Western Australia have taken part in Conservation Volunteer's Rio Tinto Earth Assist programme since it began in 2009.
The students have contributed more than 21,000 volunteer hours on community conservation projects, filling more than 3000 student placements.
Funded by us in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Department of Education, Rio Tinto Earth Assist increases conservation volunteering opportunities and environmental education to all Western Australian secondary school students.
The students' hard work paid off when the programme won in the Environmental Education and Communication category at the 2011 WA Environment Awards.
Conservation Volunteers programme manager Steve Pearce said the programme is both educational and practical, giving students the opportunity to learn about their community, the natural environment and contribute to a more sustainable future.