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Issue
5
June 2003 |
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Welcome to the second issue of Ear to the Ground, the Department of Education’s Landcare
Education newsletter for 2003. Ear to
the Ground will provide you with information about up-coming events and
issues in landcare and landcare education.
The
last couple of months have been busy with many environmental and landcare
events. A highlight being the visit of a Landcare tour group from South
Africa who were here to see how landcare education is offered to schools and
the wider community in many different contexts. We hope that there will be
opportunities to work closely and form partnerships with these people and
organisations in the future. Please pass this newsletter on to any teachers in the
learning areas of Society and
Environment, Science, or any
staff member interested in the environment
and environmental education. Educating
for biodiversity! Patricia
Janssen
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In this issue…
v 2003 Landcare Education Field Study
Courses v One Life, One River … Our Future v Landcare Education Website v Landcare Links v Freshwater Festival v Professional Development Opportunities v Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants Program v Resources v Landcare on the Web v Dates to remember |
2003 Landcare Education Field Study
Courses Professional
development Field Study courses are offered to teachers and community leaders
seeking knowledge and skills to incorporate in class studies and field
activities. Participants are provided with resources and strategies that
compliment Curriculum Framework and Student Outcomes, while addressing a
range of environmental issues. Courses are residential
with accommodation, catering and field transport provided for a cost of
$77.00 (including GST). Remaining course dates for 2003 are May 15-17, May
29-31, June 12-14, June 26-28, July 31-Aug 2, August 14-16 and September
11-13. One day teacher relief is
provided. For further information contact Patricia Janssen, Landcare
Education Officer at the Midlands Education District Office.
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One Life, One River …Our Future The MDBC
International River Health Conference is on again! 19
– 21 October 2003 Mildura
Victoria Australia Complimenting
the International Year of Freshwater this conference is a major environmental
education event for students from year 5 to year 11 and their teachers from
around the world. This year’s conference
features: ·
innovative & exciting student workshops, by students
for students ·
environmental project development workshops · an
Australia-wide mentoring program ·
River Health art exhibitions ·
Aboriginal Corroboree ·
Students from Australia and countries across the world The process
is about promoting kids teaching kids as the highest form of learning and
aiming for cultural change in the way we view, use and perceive our natural
environment. Registrations
close 30 July 2003. For further information contact
Arron Wood at Firestarter Communications PO
Box 692 North
Melbourne VIC 3051 Phone
(03) 9329 3736 Fax
(03) 9329 3550 E-mail arron@fire-starter.com.au
Landcare Education Website Check
out the department of Education’s Tammin Alcoa landcare Education web page at… http://www.eddept.wa.edu.au/deo/MIDLANDS/INDEX.HTM |
Landcare Links Are you
interested in sharing your ideas about landcare and environmental education
with others? Landcare
Links is a new e-mail
network that aims to give teachers and other environmental educators the
opportunity to share knowledge about different projects that they are working
on. If you would
like to share your ideas, please contact Patricia on 96220200 for further
details. Freshwater Festival 8 – 10 September 2003 Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre Join students from around the state to
participate in a series of environmental education learning experiences to
learn about wetlands through hands-on activities. Learning
experiences include: ·
MudnMinibeasts ·
WingsnBeaks ·
Froggy Fun ·
Eagle Rock ·
Barking
Gecko Theatre ·
SnakesnLadders ·
Water
Wisdom ·
Dreamtime
Discovery ·
Magpie
Mischief The cost is $5.50 per student For more information contact the Herdsman Lake
Wildlife Centre: Phone (08) 9387 6079 Fax (08) 9387 3492 E-mail roger@wagouldleague.com.au http://www.wagouldleague.com.au
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Professional
Development Opportunities
Wellington
Discovery Forest - explore and learn about WA’s
jarrah forest, its ecosystem, values and management. Friday 30 May 2003. Cost
is $38.50 per person. For further information contact Kristy, Department of
Conservation on 9734 1988 or e-mail wdf@calm.wa.gov.au. Understanding
Ecosystems – looks at relationships between flora and fauna
in different ecosystems and soil types. A free workshop presented by the
Department of Environment on Saturday 7 June 10am – 4pm. To register phone
9374 3333. Know
Your Bushland – aimed at developing knowledge and understanding
of native vegetation and bushland. For further information check out Greening
Australia WA’s website at http://www.greeningaustralia-wa.org/education/pda.htm Mitre 10 Junior Landcare
Grants Program Landcare Australia and Mitre 10 are providing the opportunity for
schools and youth groups to gain funding to help look after their local
environment. Grants are available,
Australia wide, up to a value of $500. A great opportunity to help get that
landcare project under way! Closing dates for funding
rounds are 1 August and 24 October 2003. For further information
check out: http://www.landcareaustralia.com.au
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Resources
Agriculture and Land
Management Fieldwork Kit A book that explores farming, salinity, water quality, native vegetation, sustainable agriculture and whole farm planning. developed by Dianne Hanna the book is available from the NRE Information Centre for a cost of $44.00 (plus p&h). For further information or to order contact the info centre by phone on (03) 9637 8080 or e-mail infocentre@nre.vic.gov.au Salinity in the Classroom Launched
in July 2003 by the Department of Agriculture, this kit was distributed as a
free resource to every school in WA. Te kit provides background information
and activities on salinity and is suitable for lower primary through to upper
secondary. For further information contact the Depoartment’s Public Affairs
Team by phone on 9368 3937 or e-mail education@agric.wa.gov.au Biodiversity Education Kit Aimed at
teachers throughout the West Midlands Region (and elsewhere) to teach
students about the environment in which they live – how unique it is, and how
important it is thar we all understand it and care for it. Check out the kit
at the Kwongan Connection series website at http://www.kwongan.asn.au Fauna base A web-based resource developed by the WA Museum providing information about WA’s mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Check it out at http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/faunabase |
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Landcare on the Web ABC Online A
website providing a range of resources, games and fact sheets including
information about Australia’s environment. Also links to online radio and TV
programs. World Wide Fund
for Nature A
website providing interesting facts on a range of environmental issues, all which
impact on the world’s wild species and wild places. Swan Catchment Centre Providing
access to an environmental education directory as well as a directory for community
conservation groups. It also includes information training and information
sheets. http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/swanavon/ CSIRO Soil
Classification A website enabling land managers to classify their soils. http://www.cbr.clw.csiro.au/aclep/asc/soilkey.htm Funding Assistance For information on funding assistance for schools visit the City
of Joondalup’s comprehensive website at http://living.joondalup.wa.gov.au/central/education/living_education.asp |
Dates to remember v
23-25 May CONSTAWA 24 – STAWA’s State Conference for all with
an interest in science education (Muresk, Northam) v
3-10 June Ribbons of Blue Water Wonders! Snapshot event v
5 June World Environment Day v
17 June World Day to combat Desertification and Drought v
20-21 June Engaging Education
Conference v
25 July National tree Day
(Schools) v
27 July National Tree Day v
1 August Funding round closes
for Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants program v
16-24 August National Science Week v
18-24 August Landcare Week v
8-10 September Freshwater festival
at Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre v
19-21 October One Life One River
Our Future conference For further information
contact… Patricia Janssen Landcare Education Officer Midlands Education District Office PO Box 394
Northam WA 6401 Phone: (08) 9622 0200 Fax: (08) 9622 3996 E-mail: Patricia.Janssen@det.wa.edu.au |