Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has created the ultimate environmentally friendly classroom for the next generation of green thumbs, allowing students to fully appreciate nature at its best.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has provided $27,500 in funding to allow the Gardens to construct the outdoor classroom, which is designed to improve and expand its environment education programs, increase the number of schools visiting each year and provide more hands-on learning opportunities.

Charitable Foundation Chairman Michael Slater said the outdoor classroom is an excellent initiative that will help the students to better engage and understand the wonders of our environment.

“The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is a wonderful asset for our region and the funds provided by the Charitable Foundation will allow more people to use this important natural resource,” Michael said.

“The outdoor environmental pavilion will also create an important revenue stream for the gardens through additional events and ceremonies.”

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Chairman Kevin Stokes said the funding would allow the gardens to continue to grow, conserve and promote plants, particularly plants of the Hunter region.

“The funding from the Foundation has helped to improve the quality of facilities we have here and also increase access to all members of the community, including those that are wheelchair bound,” Kevin said.

“The improvements will benefit both primary school and tertiary education students and members of the wider community for a minimum of 10 years.”

The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation was established in 2004 to fund projects that are focused on supporting or improving the lives of those most in need or disadvantaged in the local community.

Local charity and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for the next round, which closes on Friday 11 April 2014.

To make an application for a grant or to obtain further information visit their website.