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
On Tuesday Bournda EEC staff supported Eden Marine High Year 10 Geography students to study coastal management at Aslings Beach. Wally the submersible ROV had a look to investigate the impact of management strategies on biodiversity and water quality.
Have a look for yourself! #EZECNSW
youtu.be/r95gjFaROh8
NSW Department of Education Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public Schools Environmental and Zoo Education Centres NSW
Bega Valley Shire Council
youtu.be
Year 10 Geography students at Eden Marine High School were investigating coastal management at Aslings Beach and had a go at getting Wally to help them inves...FUNGI JOKES IN THE FIELD
MYCOLOGIST 1:Why did the mushroom go to parties?
MYCOLOGIST 2: That joke is so old it’s mouldy. Everyone knows it’s because he was a FUN-GUY. Duh!!
MYCOLOGIST 1: No, no, no. This is a new fungi joke!
MYCOLOGIST 2: (sigh) Spare me
MYCOLOGIST 1: (smirking) You’ll love this! Because SHE was a FUN-GAL
MYCOLOGIST 2: Fungal what? Growth? Infection? That doesn’t sound very funny
MYCOLOGIST 1: Don’t worry! It’s a FUN-GAL JOKE!! It will GROW on you! LOL!!
Hey! Whaddaya get when you cross a fungus with a rabbit?
MYCOLOGIST 2: Stop it!
MYCOLOGIST 1: YEASTER BUNNY!!
MYCOLOGIST 2: You need help!
On the trail of the ghost mushroom
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/fungi-fanatics-search-tasmanias-wilderness-for-exotic-mushrooms/12...
On the trail of the ghost mushroom
www.abc.net.au
They spend hours combing the forest floors of Tasmania's north-west in search of new and eye-catching species of fungi. Welcome to the world of the mushroom hunters.BIRD OLYMPICS TRAINING EXERCISE #1
Ok bird lovers! Training starts now. What birds can you hear in this short video recorded at Bournda this morning? You get to see one of them so maybe you should score at least one!
Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public Schools
Eden Public School 🦅 Towamba Public School 🦅 Wyndham Public School 🦅 Eden Marine High 🦅 Wolumla Public School 🦅 Candelo Public School 🦅 Bemboka Public School 🦅 Bega Valley Public School 🦅 Quaama Public School 🦅 Cobargo Public School 🦅 Tanja Public School 🦅 Tathra Public School 🦅 Bega High School 🦅 @Merimbula-Public-School
Far South Coast Birdwatchers Inc. 🦉 Panboola 🦆 ABC South East NSW 🐣 Merimbula Old School Museum
(NB - we had a slight glitch with our EOI contact form last week. Please resubmit your registration)
bourndaeec.nsw.edu.au/whats-on/whats-on-term-4/sclc-bournda-bird-olympics-2020/
The students at Bega Valley Public School have discovered that we need to start thinking about what we call 'waste'!
They sorted through a wheelie bin full of 'waste' and discovered items that could have been recycled, items that could have been composted and collected a whole bag full of soft plastics that they dropped off at a Woolworths Redcycle bin. There really wasn't very much 'waste' at all!
Amazing work BVPS - we are really looking forward to working with you next term on creating action plans for your school!
Thank you to Bega Valley Shire Council for supporting this fantastic education program.
Bega Valley Waste & Recycling
Environmental and Zoo Education Centres NSW
Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public Schools
BAGGING LITTER
Another bag bites the dust
Another bag bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another bag bites the dust
Hey, I'm gonna get you too
Another bag bites the dust
#BaggingLitter #SapphireCoastDrive
And a couple of pics from a range of spots on the #SapphireCoast to highlight what needs to be protected 💚
Bega Valley Waste & Recycling
Ps. Anyone missing a broom? Looks like it has been used in painting jobs?
This closes tomorrow but maybe a young person you know can smash out an entry?
www.abc.net.au/heywire/competition/
Bega High School Eden Marine High Narooma High School Moruya High School Batemans Bay High School Ulladulla High School Bombala High School Monaro High School (official ) Jindabyne Central School
www.abc.net.au
ABC Heywire is young regional Australians telling it like it is, and making a difference.Learn more about ICOLLS!
begavalley.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-CZT-58-43-14
Bega Valley Shire Council
This is an awesome video! Congrats to Matt McKenzie and the Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre team on such inspiring work!
