A new partnership is bringing students together with landholders to protect and enhance biodiversity across NSW.
The Biodiversity Conservation Trust’s Conservation Champions initiative is an educational project that promotes the importance of biodiversity and private land conservation through hands-on learning experiences.
Earlier this year, the NSW Department of Education was successful in securing the tender to deliver the project for the next three years through its Environmental Education Centres (EECs).
As part of the project, students will take part in hands-on activities, excursions, field days and remote lessons, gaining real world experience in biodiversity conservation and connecting with landholders.
EECs will also develop teaching resources and provide professional development for teachers to support biodiversity conservation education in the curriculum.
Wes Leedham, Principal of The Warrumbungle National Park EEC, which is leading delivery of the project, says it is a fantastic opportunity to connect students with landholders across NSW to support their understanding of the importance of conservation and the real-world challenges facing biodiversity.
“Private landholders are already working hard on conservation, but having that recognised in the community, including through school students, will reinforce the work being done to ensure we have sustainable biodiversity across our state in the future.”
The $1.5m, three-year contract is expected to involve more than sixty schools across the state and includes funding for resources, excursions, in-school projects, lesson planning, teaching, and coordination.
This includes curriculum-aligned programs related to geography, biodiversity, agriculture, food and fibre, and conservation on private lands.
From mid-October till the end of the year there will be four field days: in the Northern Rivers, on the Mid North Coast, in the Riverina and in Western Sydney region.
Interested schools can sign up for lessons and access to free resources, incursions or excursions by contacting their local EEC.
