Other community sports (graphics courtesy of Climate Alliance and Zoom kids on the move 2007 - European campaign) (graphics courtesy of Climate Alliance and Zoom kids on the move 2007 - European campaign)   GREEN FOOTPRINTS AND YOU From Rangitikei Active and Roadsafe Central comes a new concept that will encourage you to think more positively about activity in your day to day life and your impact on the environment  It’s about eco-friendly transport.How did we get on? It comes from the European Campaign Zoom Kids and the move which has successfully been getting European School children to consider transport, the environment and how they can make a difference. SO WHAT ARE GREEN FOOTPRINTS?  It’s a concept that is:  Fun Achievable Environmentally friendly AND  • Aims to encourage safe journeys independently of vehicles. • Aims to increase awareness of eco-friendly mobility  • Aims to decrease carbon footprints • Aims to get people in this district more physical in their daily lives. We are now introducing the Green Footprints concept to New Zealand, this is a first – Rangitikei is on the green map. We will be registering our district with the European Campaign. • ECO- FRIENDLY- We are encouraging sustainable forms of transport for everyone and in the process assisting them to learn how to look after their environment - to think globally and to act locally! The jargon now is all about the carbon footprint – let’s make it green. Children and their parents will learn more about Green Footprints and how they can make green journeys here in Rangitikei.  • PHYSICAL – FRIENDLY – Again sustainable activity that will benefit everyone and hopefully imprint the benefits of physical activity and reduce the complications, we are seeing already in New Zealand, of inactive lifestyles – eg obesity and the associated chronic illnesses.  WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Daily exercise not only improves everyone’s physical health it also helps memory, concentration and academic performance. Additionally it: • can enhance psychological well-being • can increase self-esteem • assists social and moral development • reduces the risk of chronic diseases of adulthood • assists to reduce obesity  WHEN? We have chosen October to launch the Green Footprint project, everyone can choose one week within the month as their challenge. Schools are taking on the challenge – your children will be coming home with more information plus their own diaries to keep track, throughout the seven days, of all their green journeys. Adults can also obtain a log book and resources to take on their own green footprint challenge – join your kids and collect green footprints together. It won’t cost anything – and leaving the car at home when you walk to the shops or the library, school etc will make it even more of a saving, and there will be incentives with prizes and fun stuff to reward you for your efforts! This project will be sustainable with it going further than the week you have all chosen. Workshed & Swimshed    Hereford Street,  Marton            Office Hours  : November to end of March     Mon - Thu 9am - 7pm , Fri       9am – 5pm                         April to end of October     Mon - Thu 9am - 7pm , Fri       9am – 5pm Phone: 06 327 8359         Email Address: swimshed@xtra.co.nz