Things have been happening at Bournda EEC – we have new landscaping!
Have a look at the before & after photos. Watch this space for more improvements to come…
Bournda Environmental Education Centre
Student wellbeing comes naturally at Bournda!
Bournda EEC is operated by the Department of Education and is located in Bournda National Park on the Far South Coast of NSW; an ideal setting for the delivery of environmental education programs.
The staff at Bournda EEC assist teachers to plan and conduct field trips for students from Kindergarten – Year 12, which are designed to specifically target KLA outcomes.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TO OUR NEW LEARN-SCAPED GARDEN
In 2018 Bournda EEC coordinated the Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub Sustainability Education Network (SCRSHSEN) involvement in a AAEE NSW Best Practice Sustainability Education and Engagement project, Birds of a Feather. The citizen science project involved multiple partners working to enhance the environment of local birds in schools by installing bird baths and monitoring their use with motion sensor cameras.
The project worked so well that we decided that we better practice what we preach and have our own bird bath and camera installation at Bournda Environmental Education Centre in Bournda National Park. The birdbath was heavily used during the drought with an astonishing range of “visitors” and staff were kept busy making sure it was regularly replenished. The site needed some additional habitat and erosion control so Bournda EEC School Administrative Manager, Rose Constable came up with a design that provided lots of microhabitats, improved drainage and minimal water use. The habitat “learn-scape” was approved by NPWS Merimbula and brought to life by Proscape Garden Construction. Grant Brewer, NPWS Bournda Ranger helped us through the approval process and gave advice on suitable plants. A big thank you to Bruce Toomey, from NPWS who assisted with the due diligence requirements for Aboriginal artefacts. There are now three birds baths and we’ve got lots of ideas for sustainability activities in this space for our young visitors!
NSW Department of Education Covid -19 Information Hub
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Learning from home Hub on the Department’s website provides information & resources for teachers and parents to support students learning from home P -12.
The Department of Education, Term 3, COVID-19 guidelines for schools highlight that Bournda EEC programs in-school and at Bournda EEC are allowed.
Activities that have recommenced in our schools
- All curricular and extra-curricular programs or services delivered by NSW Department of Education staff including targeted school support programs delivered by School Services, itinerant support staff and other department employees
- ….and day field trips to outdoor locations that require minimal physical distancing considerations (e.g. DoE Environmental Education Centres and sport and recreation facilities, trips to local river to collect water samples)
Resource: Multi-Touch Books
Download these free multi-touch iBooks from the iBooks Store onto your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Exploring and Mapping our Living World and Saving our Shorebirds have been created by Bournda EEC to help students explore the natural world around them, inspiring curiosity and a sense of wonder for all living things. The books are designed for primary students and are full of interactive diagrams, photos and videos. Find out about our local endangered shorebirds and how we can all help them to survive. Discover why biodiversity is so important and how teachers and students can play their role as citizen scientists mapping biodiversity in the schoolyard.
What’s been happening?
Students from five local schools have been working with Bournda Environmental Education Centre on a Bega Valley Shire Council funded program called ‘Let’s get it Sorted’. The program helps students to re-think what they call ‘waste’ and empowers them to be the change makers at their school. The aim of the program is to reduce the amount of waste that schools send to landfill and to help educate school communities about the issues surrounding waste and its management. Click here to find out more about this program and here to register your interest for 2020 / 2021.
A forest’s bushfire recovery
Life in a Southern Forest https://southernforestlife.net/ is an extraordinary resource for any teachers that are looking to explore the recovery of our forests after the recent bushfires. Follow biologists Kerri-Lee and Paul as they report on observations, sightings and discoveries on their 5 ha property at Wonboyn, both before and after the January 5 fires. The photographs and detailed reporting are an extremely valuable resource and their work is an inspiration to follow.
Facebook posts
Great to see schools like Merimbula Public School showing leadership on Clean Up Australia 😀 We can all make a difference and show care and respect for our local environment.
Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public SchoolsREMINDER: Next Friday is Clean Up Australia Day at Merimbula Public School! Don't forget to get your child some reusable gardening gloves for the event. Collection bags will be provided. Please talk to your child about safety on collection day (we will also). Permission notes are overdue. Information/notes are available on our web site. Thank you to those who have already returned permission notes.
As Harry Butler would have said, “Check out this little beauty!!”
Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2021/01/tiny-chameleon-smallest-reptile-discovered-madagascar/
This tiny chameleon may be world’s smallest reptile
www.nationalgeographic.com
About the size of a sunflower seed, the newly described creature from Madagascar may already be critically endangered.#FutureReady is an outcome of education
'Climate change must be afforded the same scientific response as the coronavirus pandemic'
www.sbs.com.au
Brian Schmidt has told an international forum there is a historic opportunity to deal with the threat of climate change.Green Hydrogen
www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-01-23/green-hydrogen-renewable-energy-climate-emissions-explaine...
Will 'green hydrogen' live up to the hype, or is it all a load of hot air?
www.abc.net.au
It's been identified as the clean energy source that could help bring the world to net-zero emissions, but green hydrogen's future is not yet assured.From the first day of school to the home stretch of Year 12, we're ready for you! Check out our #firstday2021 resources on bit.ly/39JXTug.
#LoveWhereYouLearn
*Posted by the NSW Department of Education*
Eat sustainably and save!
www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/media-releases/articles/sustainable-eating-is-healthy-for-us-and-t...
Sustainable eating is healthy for us and the planet, and saves money too
www.deakin.edu.au
Researchers have debunked the myth that healthy eating is costly by showing an average family can save $1800 a year by making more sustainable food choices at the supermarket.AHOY!! ME HEARTY SING-A-LONG
Bournda EEC staff have been into sea shanties for a long time and retired teacher Ross Fackerell was a great enthusiast.
Mind you, choices have to be made around the camp fire, as some of the lyrical content presents a challenge!!
“All for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog
All for me grog and tobacco
For I spent all me store with the lassies on the shore
And it's all for me grog and tobacco”
😂😂😂😂
www.abc.net.au/everyday/what-are-sea-shanties-why-going-viral-online/100005620
What the heck is a sea shanty and why are they going viral? - ABC Everyday
www.abc.net.au
Refreshingly earnest, the sudden obsession with sea shanties speaks to our collective yearning — stronger than ever — to feel connected.READY FOR 2021 and beyond!
During 2020 Bournda EEC decided that investing in replacing equipment was a good way to support local businesses. One project was to replace two of our ageing kayak trailers. Peter Moore (pictured) did a wonderful job and it is nice that Peter’s kids have participated in Bournda programs in the past #circleoflife
Thanks to Peter Moore Welding staff for their work!
Bega District News
