Residents with
an interest in the local environment and great outdoors are encouraged to apply
for Greater Geelong’s inaugural Nature Stewards program.
Nature Stewards
will teach 20 participants about our natural environment, through topics such
as geology, soils, climate, fungi, plants, water, animals and conservation land
management.
Funded by the
City and run by Outdoors Victoria, the program will educate people with an
interest in the environment and encourage them to become volunteers and
advocates.
The 10-week
course begins on 2 May and runs until 11 July, with weekly three-hour classes
to be held at Leopold Community Hub.
Several field
trips to significant properties and locations are also on the itinerary.
Expert local
facilitator Rustem Upton will lead the program, with support from specialist
guest presenters and volunteer group showcases.
Applications
are now being taken at www.outdoorsvictoria.org.au/nature-stewards
The program is
open to anyone over the age of 18, however preference will be given to those
who live in Greater Geelong.
It is best
suited to people with little or no formal environmental education, who are
either involved with local groups or want to explore environmental volunteering
opportunities.
Taking
inspiration from well-established Master Naturalist programs in the United
States of America, Nature Stewards began last year in the City of Melbourne and
City of Melton.
The first
cohort of graduates have gone on to join or start local volunteer groups, begin
environmental business ventures or pursue further study.
Greater Geelong
will be the first Victorian regional municipality to offer the program.
The City will
also provide an outline of environmental volunteering opportunities at theGeelong Nature Forum.
The forum is
being held at the National Wool Museum on Saturday 28 March.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher
Nature Stewards
is a great way to give residents the confidence to join and lead environmental
protection efforts in our local community. There are huge
environmental and social benefits in encouraging more people to get outdoors
and to contribute to conservation activities – either in public reserves or on
private property.
Cr Eddy Kontelj, Chair, Environment
portfolio
I encourage
residents with an interest in the environment to consider joining Geelong’s
first Nature Stewards program. You will learn
more about local ecosystems and natural places, meet like-minded people and
learn about how you can get involved with local groups doing great work on the
ground.
