Our mission is to advocate ecological consciousness and management to our natural resources.
We believe people need to be motivated and inspired to connect and appreciate nature and using our adventure framework, our goal is to empower and support awareness of sustainability via sensory experience. Areas include land, waste, water, energy and sustainability.
Since 2009, Hedgend has achieved some significant changes via a variety of projects including building a native maze, edible garden, lizard lounge, participating in the Yarra Ranges Shire ‘Ribbons of Green Program’ (over 800 indigenous plants were planted on the property), completing the Shires ‘Sustainable Business Program’, installing a solar hot water unit, changing to energy efficient light bulbs, erosion audit, saving water measures, building a wormery, composting all plant matter, waste management and recycling program, awareness of food miles to our tea room, the use of biodegradable chemicals and recycling old oil are just some of the actions that have taken place in this short period.
Education
Education for Sustainability actively encourages preschools, kindergartens, schools, businesses and the wider community, to empower and develop an understanding and responsibility in creating a sustainable living environment. It’s Hedgend goal to support and further develop Education for Sustainability, providing awareness and guidance to achieve goals and targets in sustainable practices. Through a holistic approach and enquiry based learning, Hedgend has created a variety of dynamic programs, supporting students, staff and the community to embrace Education for Sustainability.
We are committed to using sustainable practices within our business and education programs and furthering our professional development and training, keeping in touch with current programs and practices.
Resource Smart AuSSI Vic is a framework for strategic planning, action and benchmarking in sustainability practice for Victorian Schools. As AuSSI Vic facilitators, Hedgend has participated in comprehensive training, reaching an understanding of the principals and framework of AuSSI and how to best support schools and the community in encompassing and joining the ongoing journey of Education for Sustainability.
Yarra Rangers Shire – The Learning for Sustainability Program
Yarra Rangers Shire has implemented The Learning for Sustainability Program, with a large number of the schools in the Yarra Valley being a part of the program. LfS Program is conducted with a similar ethos to that of AuSSI encouraging schools and communities to work together, strengthening and enhancing Education for Sustainability in the Yarra Rangers Shire. Being a part of The Shire, we have developed an understanding of The LfS framework, thus being able to support schools in developing an understanding of concepts and components and how they can be implemented within their school.
Yarra Valley Sustainable Business Program
The Sustainable Business Program units businesses within the Yarra Valley. Being a part of this program, we have attended various talks, seminars and workshops where we have had the opportunity to share thoughts, opinion, feelings and strategies on sustainable practices in the workplace. This ongoing program has united us with businesses with a similar philosophy to us, empowering us to work together to educate others and become leaders in sustainability.
Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability 
Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability is a new initiative that helps young people understand and appreciate the key principles and issues of sustainability, while also gaining the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their chosen career. The program helps young people understand the world around them, think for themselves, communicate their thoughts and feelings, act on their own beliefs and help others act in an ethical and socially responsible way. Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability courses have been developed for both secondary and primary schools, focusing on linking businesses and the community together.
Our objective at Hedgend Maze is to help deliver a localised version of the TLfS Program in the Yarra Ranges. This involves training schools and non-schools groups in the program and then coordinating a TLfS Learning Network amongst all involved.
With our passion for learning, educating and the environment, we look forward to actively working alongside students, schools, businesses and individuals to identify their sustainability leadership skills and help us all work together to create a more sustainable environment.