Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Students learn through Landcare
Students from Dulaca State School examine the over-fishing problem
Students from Wondai and Crows Nest State School perform tests on penguin oil
Students from various schools check out the feral animal display at the Discovering Landcare Forum
Students in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin are having their studies brought down to earth, with an innovative project operating from primary to high school.
Learning through Landcare is a practical program that gives teachers the opportunity to introduce environmental and natural resource management issues into a number of different school subjects.
Run by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC), the program has been operating since 2000 and has involved around 90 schools and 130 teachers in the region.
Funding
Learning through Landcare received around $3,000 from the Australian Government and State Governments in 2005-06.
Activities and achievements
Laura Weedon, QMDC Landcare Education Officer, said the program encouraged schools to come forward with their own ideas for projects.
"It's designed for teachers who may have had an idea at the back of their minds, but needed some help to get it going," she said.
"Rather than me visiting a school for a one-off day-long project, the program means that schools can integrate natural resource management into the curriculum.
"Teachers can incorporate it into subjects ranging from agricultural science, to studies of science and the environment, and geography.
"The projects we've supported have been really varied.
"They've included creating a mini forest using water harvested from run off from drinking-water taps, adopting a local waterway, developing an organic vegetable garden and identifying local weeds and pests."
A resource package is available for teachers with suggested activities on topics such as biodiversity, forestry, soils, salinity, water, weeds and pests, catchment management and greenhouse issues.
QMDC's Landcare Discovery Centre in Toowoomba loans resources to schools, ranging from books and videos to water testing kits and binoculars.
As part of the program year 11 and 12 students at St George State High School have been involved in developing a land and water management plan for the school.
"Students have studied the soil characteristics in the schoolyard, looked at weather patterns, examined different irrigation systems and generally learnt about natural resources and how we use them," said Agricultural Studies teacher, Sheryl Rigg.
"Our school is in an irrigation area and these are just the sort of things that farmers have to do.
"The project makes the students much more aware of and attuned to what is happening in their own environment."
The Learning through Landcare Program operates from February to October each year culminating in a Discovering Landcare Conference for students.
More information
- Laura Weedon, Landcare Education Officer, QMDC: (07) 4637 6270 or lauraw@qmdc.org.au
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