Nicole Lewis
Educator and Environmentalist
1. When you were at school, were you already thinking in a sustainable away?
I was always a nature lover and I have vivid memories of my year K nature project, which was such a joyful experience putting it together. The teacher gave me 5 gold stars and I was very proud of that. As long as I can remember I have loved and been fascinated by nature. Looking back I can now identify threads that came together to make me start thinking sustainably. Firstly, I always liked things to be tidy, so seeing rubbish on the floor would bother me and I would pick it up even when I was young. When I got older, I began to volunteer in the environmental field at events and with groups. Spending time with like-minded people made me more aware of many things including how impactful the decisions I made with my own money were and the responsibility we each have to the environment. Volunteering for Clean Up Australia both in their office and running clean up sites was very eye opening. However the experience that was most confronting and defining for me was when I toured Lucas Heights Landfill on a professional development day with Waverley Council. 20 years later, I can still see it fresh in my mind and feel the feeling I felt that day as if it was yesterday – everyone should experience that.
2. What did you study after finishing school?
I studied a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Science at Sydney University. Within the first 2 years I became very passionate about the need to teach science outside; a concept not very welcome then. The stale, “old school” response from the principals and my lecturers further lit a fire in me to explore this idea more and I became determined to pursue the avenue of environmental education. At the time the only option available to study anything with a broad environmental view was a 1 year Masters course in Environmental Studies at UTS, which I signed up to 6 months after graduating with the idea of combining both. I went on to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care so that I could teach at Early Learning Centres
3. What is your current work role?
I have a couple of jobs and last year set up a consultancy in response to numerous requests for assistance ranging from face to face teaching to program implementation and curriculum development. Currently I work part time as the Co-ordinator of Sustainable Practice at a private school in Sydney. It is a broad and multifaceted role, with a main focus of improving sustainable practices across the school. I work collaboratively with many departments and students across LDC-Year 12 to embed sustainability and sustainable thinking into the learning, experiences, facilities, systems and decisions across the school.
I am also the Education Program Manager for a not for profit organisation called Planting Seeds Projects running their B&B Highway Program which is focused on supporting pollinators and increasing biodiversity through creating habitats (plants and man-made) and wildlife corridors at schools and other community centres.
4. What would you say your main passion is?
I am mostly passionate about instilling the awe and wonder of nature in my students. To teach them how incredible nature is and the important part we all need to play in looking after it.
The best way to do this is outside in nature. This is the best way to both learn and develop a deep connection to nature. It needs to be a slow, quiet, patient experience developing critical observation skills, looking at the micro and the macro of living things around us. I have always taught in a holistic way, pointing out the interconnectedness of everything, “joining the dots”. The education system to date does not facilitate that enough, we have been stuck in a very siloed system of teaching and learning; slowly this is changing. Learning outside offers so many benefits, from health to wellbeing and there are endless things to learn. It also caters to all types of learning and learners. The tactility and physicality that come with learning outside is invaluable for optimum development. I have seen how even the simple things like lying down on your stomach and looking for activity in soils or lying on your back observing your surrounds and what is happening above us, can change someone’s mood, behaviour and perspective and they just want more!
5. What is the biggest rubbish creator in schools?
Definitely plastic rubbish that comes from student’s school lunch boxes.
6. If you became Prime Minister of Australia, what policy would you want to change first?
There are so many but I have to say to ban single-use plastic, full stop!
7. What do you think is the worst environmental issue in Australia?
I would have to say our addiction to coal and deforestation, our inability to think long term and to be so tied to the fossil fuel industry when we have so much opportunity for alternative sources of energy, it is completely irresponsible and working in direct contrast to what we need and have needed for a long time.
8. Why did you decide to live sustainably?
My deep love and awe for nature and sense of responsibility is my main driver; it is a privilege to live on this planet. I am an eternal optimist and believe each person can make a difference every day, as well as helping to educate others. I try and tread as lightly as possible every single day and be mindful of my decisions and impact. I am also very aware of role modelling to my children and encouraging them to be advocates for the environment so they are on the right side of a better future for all of us.
9. What is your best advise to give to Little Pago readers?
When talking to your children about the book, I would use language around ‘Little Pago’s home.’ Home is such an important place to have, somewhere we feel comfortable, safe and happy. Every person can relate to that; animals need the same. The natural environments around us — the land and the sea — are animals’ homes or habitats. We are all sharing food, water and shelter. We are all sharing the planet; people, plants, animals. I find this creates an acute sense of empathy and understanding about the needs of animals and therefore ensuring that children will know how to protect these natural habitats.
We all love living by the sea or visiting it, our ocean is not only for our enjoyment, it is the home of many incredible, critically important animals and organisms and it is our responsibility to ensure their home is as healthy and clean as possible. These animals are the reason for the health and wonder of our oceans. There are many things we can do to help them. The most important action we can take is: each time you see rubbish, anywhere, pick it up because you will most likely be saving an animal’s life and creating a nicer home for them to live in.