Supporting sustainability in regional schools
Grampians
Discover the world around you with Nature Stewards
Nature Stewards is a 6- to 10-week program that connects curious people with their local and wider habitats. It’s a great way to gain knowledge, learn practical skills and meet like-minded people in the local community. You will discover all sorts of ways to help nature at home and through local volunteering.
Food is Free Ballarat
Food is Free is a community-led not-for-profit benefiting all Ballarat citizens, focusing on those experiencing disadvantage, with the purpose of assisting food security education and community inclusion. School students are offered regularly along with Little Sprouts workshops to encourage those under 5 to learn about all things compost, worm farms and growing vegetables.
Celebrating 10 years of Food is Free in Ballarat
When: Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 October 2024
More information: Food is Free event web page
Friends of Canadian Corridor
The Friends of Canadian Corridor continue their amazing work with upcoming events.
An active group, they encourage community interaction through their website and support schools in the education of students. Some of their projects include the Ballarat to Buninyong Forest River Loop. Their clear purpose is to link the community with Woowookarung Regional Park and the Canadian Corridor.
National Water Week at Central Highlands Water
Central Highlands Water celebrates National Water Week by running education tours and a poster competition for schools in the Central Highlands region. This year’s theme is 'Water for all, inspiring action'.
When: Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October 2024
Soft plastics trial in the City of Ballarat
The City of Ballarat has recently commenced its soft plastics trial.
Visit the council website to register your household.
Schools can also take part in the trial – email local facilitator Inga Hamilton at Inga.Hamilton@sustainability.vic.gov.au to find out how you can reduce the soft plastics at your school today!
Smart Living Ballarat
Brought to you by BREAZE and sponsored by the City of Ballarat you can extend your knowledge and connections by attending these great sessions.
Gardens for Wildlife
When: Wednesday 23 October 2024
More information: BREAZE event web page
DIY Cleaning Products
When: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Gippsland
Apply for an Environmental Detectives activity in 2025
The Environmental Detectives school education activity program endeavours to connect students to a sense of wonder and help them develop a sense of care for the environment. The program also gives students an insight into the extraordinary complexity and integrity of the natural world and the role it plays in our wellbeing. With limited spaces available for the Environmental Detectives Program this year, get in quick to learn about your local environment.
Biodiversity Blitz 2024
Celebrate National Biodiversity Month this September by joining Baw Baw Shire Council's Biodiversity Blitz.
When: September 2024
Interactive map of West and South Gippsland Catchment projects
Take a tour around the catchment on the WGCMA’s interactive map and discover the exciting projects currently being worked on – perhaps even in your local area. New projects are connecting waterways, restoring wetlands, tackling climate change, inspiring communities and much more.
Energy Audit Kits
Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia Shire and South Gippsland councils have partnered with Myli Libraries to offer home energy and water efficiency kits and portable induction cooktops free for community members and schools to borrow, use and return.
Friends of Drouin’s Trees
A special poster developed with a collaborative venture in 2020 between Friends of Drouin’s Trees, the Baw Baw Shire and local artist Helen Timbury is now available for schools.
Pick up your hard copy (A2 size) at the Baw Baw Shire offices in Drouin, or from Friends of Drouin’s Trees. Explore 56 images ‘hidden’ in the poster, which are just a glimpse of the rich biodiversity in the Baw Baw Shire.
Gippsland New Energy Web Portal
The Gippsland New Energy Web Portal is designed by Gippslanders, for Gippslanders, to tell the story of our new energy journey.
This portal brings together easy to understand information about types of renewable energy technologies and the location of proposed infrastructure developments in Gippsland. It will also connect you to information about cultural and environmental considerations, community engagement opportunities and local skills and training you can participate in.
Get Grubby in East Gippsland
East Gippsland council has a subscription to the Get Grubby program, which schools can use to access learning resources and get students involved in waste minimisation and sustainability. If you are interested in accessing the funded program for your school, contact East Gippsland Shire Council’s Waste Officer on 5153 9500.
New Giant Gippsland Earthworm information and resources
Two exciting new resources are available to help us learn about and protect our threatened giant Gippsland earthworm (GGE). The first is an interactive tool that helps landholders identify GGE habitat on their property, provides them with a planting list, along with advice on how to modify revegetation to avoid drying out GGE colonies. The second is an exciting interactive tool that will take you on a journey through the landscape and under the soil, learning about the GGE and meeting landholders who are doing projects to protect them.
More information: New Giant Gippsland Earthworm information for landholders
Old Energy - New Energy project by Energy Innovation Co-operative
Explore the Energy Innovation Cooperative’s Old Energy - New Energy project at Wonthaggi coal mine. Students can look up how much solar is being produced each day, how much CO2 emissions are saved and how many trees would have to be planted to achieve the same outcome.
Phillip Island Nature Parks
Explore the unique fauna and flora that Phillip Island has to offer. Discover attractions, self-guided tours or book a guided tour with a ranger.
Phillip Island Nature Parks is a self-funded organisation, meaning that booking an excursion contributes to world leading conservation, research and education programs.
Renewable Energy Trailer, Gippsland Climate Change Network
Gippsland Climate Change Network is giving the community an opportunity to participate in their Renewable Energy Demonstration Trailer program to help promote renewable energy options and raise awareness.
This high demand trailer gives schools and students the opportunity to learn about energy in their community.
South Gippsland Conservation Society
The South Gippsland Conservation Society provides a range of programs that school groups can book. Programs include excursions to the Inverloch area and other parts of Bass Coast and South Gippsland. You can learn about rock pooling, coastal and estuarine ecology, human impacts, plastics in the marine environment, forests and woodlands, and climate change.
Upcycle4Better
Baw Baw Shire Council has partnered with UpCycle4Better to introduce textile recycling in Baw Baw Shire. Textiles such as clothes and shoes that can’t be recycled as part of your kerbside collection can now be recycled for free at the Lardner and Trafalgar Transfer Stations.
Water Wise Gardening in Cann River, Marlo, Paynesville and Bairnsdale
An engaging presentation on Water-Wise Gardening with Sophie Thomson. You'll learn practical tips for thriving in dry climates, efficient composting techniques, climate-compatible plant selection, and strategies for enhancing food security through sustainable practices.
When: Thursday 5 and Friday 6 September
What lives under the water – Gippsland Lakes
Fishcare East Gippsland has commenced classroom sessions that teach students about the importance of different underwater habitats for the survival of native fish and the importance of the fishing rules and regulations to ensure healthy fish stocks!
More information: Contact Jenny Allitt, East Gippsland Fishcare Facilitator, on 0400 008 081 or email jennifer.l.allitt@vfa.vic.gov.au
Wellington Shire Sustainable Living Education Program
The sustainability team at Wellington Shire Council is committed to supporting schools, kindergartens, and community groups to step up their sustainability actions. They can help embed practices and learning that reduce waste and emissions, contributing to a healthier community for everyone. Programs can be delivered at your location, or at a local venue including Nakunbalook, the brand new Environmental and Cultural Education Centre at Lake Guyatt in Sale.
More information: Wellington Shire Council
Which threatened species live in your patch?
These are resources for individuals and West and South Gippsland Landcare Groups that would like to know which threatened species have been recorded in their patch.
View a map of commonly recorded threatened species. The map shows that there are gaps in the records which might inspire further monitoring or developing projects to benefit these species.
Hume
Active travel to school
The Alpine Shire Council has some fantastic ideas on active travel to schools for students in their council. Working with their school community they have developed some helpful tips and tricks.
Biodiversity Education
Water and Biodiversity Education is available for all schools within the Greater Shepparton region, with schools eligible for Free RiverConnect sessions. Please contact Emily Lange at emily.lange@shepparton.vic.gov.au for more information.
Halve Waste Excursions
Halve Waste offers a range of free waste education opportunities for schools in Albury City, City of Wodonga, Federation Council, Greater Hume Council and the Shires of Indigo and Towong. The sessions are designed to educate students about how waste and recycling impacts the environment, and how students can reduce their waste at home and school.
Feathered Friends – Bird College Workshop
Flock together with local artist Felicite Grogan and create a colourful feathered friend! Bring spring to life through painting colourful patterns which will be used to shape the design of your collage bird.
When: Thursday 3 October 2024
Book via the City of Wodonga website.
Frog ID week
Do you know your Pobblebonks from your Perons tree frogs? Well you don’t have to, simply download the free FrogID app. Mitchell shire is home to many special frogs including the endangered Growling Grass Frog and Bibron’s Toadlet.
When: Friday 8 November
More information: Mitchell Shire Council
Natural Treasures in Spring – Exploring Hidden Valley Rail Reserve
Come along to the Wallan Hidden Valey Nature Reserve for nature walks & fun activities for the kids. Morning tea provided, BYO lunch.
When: Sunday 6 October 2024
Register to attend via the Mitchell Shire Council website.
Natural Treasures in Spring – Exploring Seymour Bushland Park
Come along to Seymour Bushland Park for nature walks & fun activities for the kids. Morning tea provided, BYO lunch.
When: Sunday 13 October 2024
Register to attend via the Mitchell Shire Council website.
Waste Education
Schools in Strathbogie, Mitchell, Murrindindi and Greater Shepparton are all eligible for Waste Education sessions through your local council.
Grace Davis-Willams delivers an array of waste themed sessions to teachers and primary and secondary students in the Strathbogie, Mitchell and Murrindindi council regions. To learn more, send an email at Grace.Davis-Williams@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au
Hilary Grigg can be contacted in Greater Shepparton to explore waste education via email at Hilary.Grigg@shepparton.vic.gov.au
Loddon Mallee
2024 National Insect Expo
The 2024 National Insect Expo is Australia’s largest insect exhibition showcasing the entire science of entomology (insects) to the general public. Now in its third year, this spectacular exhibition will promise visitors a unique and fascinating look into the world of insects and their relatives.
When: Friday 4 to Saturday 6 October 2024
Bookings: Central Victorian Insect Collection
City of Greater Bendigo to fund 2 schools for FEAST
The FEAST program offers kitchen equipment and teaching resources to use again and again to educate students about food wasted in production, supermarkets and the home. Students also learn about OzHarvest and how reclaimed food is appreciated by vulnerable community members. The City will fund the program for 2 local schools in 2024-25.
Email rr.education@bendigo.vic.gov.au to learn about how we support schools to offer this fabulous program.
Newstead Young Writers Festival
A free festival, in Newstead, Victoria featuring many nature focused authors and illustrators, including Bridget Farmer and Trace Balla.
When: Friday 4 to Saturday 6 October 2024
More information: Newstead Young Writers Festival
Riddells Creek Sustainability Festival
Planning is underway for the Riddells Creek Sustainability Festival. The Loddon Mallee facilitator Emily is available to work with schools who would like to have a presence at this festival in March 2025.
When: March 2025
More information: Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group
