CLOSE to 4000 Queensland students have spent 2025 learning how to protect one of the state’s most precious natural resources – water – as part of the Mizuiku Nature & Water School Program’s inaugural year in Australia.
Delivered by leading environmental NGO Earthwatch Australia, the program has empowered young people to become environmental leaders through hands-on, curriculum-aligned water sustainability education.
Now, with its first year celebrated as a major success, schools across South East Queensland are being encouraged to sign up for 2026.
This year, 10 schools participated in Mizuiku, exploring everything from the natural water cycle to the challenges of drought and flood resilience.
Students rolled up their sleeves to restore local waterways, learned how to build healthier ecosystems, and even developed their own Kids Teaching Kids workshops to share their knowledge with peers.
Teachers were also supported through professional development sessions and tailored resources designed to make integrating sustainability into the classroom simple, engaging, and impactful.
To cap off the year, Earthwatch hosted two vibrant Kids Teaching Kids events, with 150 students from the Ipswich and Gundiah catchments gathering for a full day of interactive learning, leadership, and environmental action.
“It’s been inspiring to see students not only learn about water sustainability but take real action in their communities,” said Earthwatch Australia CEO Fiona Sutton Wilson.
“In 2026, we’re excited to build on this success and empower even more young Australians to protect our most precious resource.”
Mizuiku – derived from the Japanese words for “water” (mizu) and “education” (iku) – is Suntory’s flagship environmental education program.
Its expansion into Australia reflects the company’s long-standing global commitment to sustainability and water protection, with Earthwatch Australia leading the local delivery.
“Suntory’s respect for water has been central to our business since it was founded in Japan over 125 years ago,” said Suntory Oceania Corporate Affairs Director Sophie Lodge.
“We’re proud to see Mizuiku make such a positive impact in its first year in Australia,” she said.
“In 2026, we look forward to continuing this journey and inspiring the next generation to protect one of our most precious resources.”
The initiative aligns closely with Suntory’s “Growing for Good” values and follows the opening of its new carbon-neutral multi-beverage facility in Swanbank.
The site showcases sustainability at scale, featuring solar energy, a biomass boiler, renewable power from CleanCo, and advanced water-efficiency measures – further underscoring Suntory’s commitment to responsible resource management.
Globally, the Suntory Group has provided water education and access to safe water for more than one million people.
Since its launch in Japan in 2004, the Mizuiku program has expanded to eight countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, France, China, Spain, the UK and New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the program is delivered in partnership with Keep New Zealand Beautiful alongside the Upstream Battle citizen science initiative.
Expressions of interest are now open for educators keen to bring this free, curriculum-aligned sustainability program into their classrooms – email education.programs@earthwatch.org.au.
