Birdwings Forest School is facing a challenge that could jeopardize our nature-connection programs for children!
Bureaucracy strikes again! As an award-winning business and pioneers in Australian nature connection for children, we take pride in our contributions and the positive impact we have on children’s lives. But this is currently at risk, and we need you help save Birdwings Forest School ‘s site, to ensure our work can continue to thrive.
The Current Issue:
The Council development application for our beautiful site is at a point that could make or break our special business. The Gold Coast City Council has classified our business as a “childcare center,” which does not reflect our nature-connection programs. While we do work with children, we:
- do not operate as a childcare center or as an educational program,
- have no buildings or infrastructure,
- have minimal environmental impact on our site, and;
- contribute significantly to conservation and environmental awareness through our core work with children and the community.
This misclassification incurs significant financial costs that are beyond our means as a small business, threatening our ability to offer essential nature connection programs.
What We Need:
Help save Birdwings Forest School’s site to gain reclassification as an Environmental Facility to more accurately describe our core work as providers of therapeutic nature connection for children, families and community.
Impact of Your Help:
Changing the classification to list our site as an Environmental Facility will promote the importance of nature connection programs for our children and set a precedent for such programs like ours, nationwide.
How You Can Save Birdwings Forest School:
1. Write to the Council: Use our template letter to write to Councillor Peter Young. Change the yellow area to describe your personal connection with Birdwings. Please note this was not a decision made by Councillor Young, but emailing him provides significant community proof for him to support and advocate for our cause. Mail to:
- division5@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
- mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
2. Sign the Petition: Please show your support this petition!
(https://www.change.org/Savebirdwings)
3. Donate to Our Cause: Your contribution to financial costs is appreciated! (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-save-this-nature-program-for-our-children)
4. Spread the Word: Please share this post by email and share on your social networks.
Your support to save Birdwings Forest School’s site will make a significant difference in helping us continue our mission of providing valuable nature immersion experiences and environmental education to our community.
Thank you for standing with us and for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Narell Neville and Jennifer McCormack
Founders and Directors, Birdwings Forest School
