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
It’s on!👩⚕️👨🏾⚕️SCIENCE WEEK STARTS SATURDAY! 🐬🐙
So many local groups have come together to bring you a range of enlightening activities for Science Week 2020! It's a truly collaborative event and a great chance to embrace your inner scientist - learn about mighty whale migrations, the science of sea urchin barrens, the beauty and mystery of sea slugs, the project to re-introduce Little Penguins to Eden and more!
View the detailed program at bourndaeec.nsw.edu.au/scsf2020/
Bournda Environmental Education Centre Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Sustainability Education Network Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness 2pi Software Panboola Bega River and Wetlands Landcare Group - BRAWL
SCHOOL VISIT
I was at Ulladulla High School to present the Bournda EEC Future Leaders award so it seemed appropriate to be farewelled by some local wildlife patrolling the school grounds 😍
A young masked lapwing chick chaperoned by two concerned parents!
NSW Department of Education
Australian Association for Environmental Education, NSW Chapter
Sustainable Schools NSW
CREATIVE AND TALENTED WORKSHOPS POSTPONED TILL AFTER 21/8
Due to emerging coronavirus cases on the South Coast, the Department of Education, in consultation with NSW Department of Health has asked us to postpone field trips to Bournda EEC for Weeks 4 and 5. (till 21/8)
So the Bega Valley Public School Creative and Talented visit for today (Wednesday, 12th August) is postponed. 🥺
We are always sad to disappoint students who we know love getting out and about in the bush, learning cool stuff, but understand the need for these measures.
We are very grateful to school staff for all their work organising these visits and the parents who provide transport.
7 workshops will be postponed over 8 days which gives an indication of how popular these activities are with schools.
Our support for learning programs at schools will not be affected e.g. Bega Valley Shire Council Waste Education
Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public Schools
A difficult topic that needs to be discussed
www.abc.net.au/4corners/plastic-wars:-recycling-spin-in-the-plastics/12529956
Recycling spin in the plastics industry
www.abc.net.au
For decades we’ve been told that we can do our bit for the environment by recycling our waste. But as Four Corners revealed in 2017, much of Australia’s recycling operations have been effectively a sham with mountains of waste being stockpiled with nowhere to go. Now, in this revealing investiga...How 'lockdown birdwatching' is helping Australia's bushfire recovery
Far South Coast Birdwatchers Inc.
Panboola
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-53676061
How 'lockdown birdwatching' is aiding bushfire recovery
www.bbc.co.uk
Birdwatching has boomed during Australia's Covid-19 lockdown - and it's having an unexpected benefit.DIGITAL FORESTS
Digital photography is a great medium for students to find a connection with the natural world around them. Digital Forests is a new program we have been running during #EducationWeek to allow students to do just that, while exploring and learning about the forests and lake environments around their environmental education centre.
Stage 2 students from Eden Public School and Central Tilba Public School joined Bournda teacher Julie Donne for the program over two separate days and she reported "it has been such a pleasure to see their observation and photography skills in action"
Thank you to the schools, teachers and parents for their support of single school, field trips to their EEC!
#LoveWhereYouLearn
Environmental and Zoo Education Centres NSW 📷🌳 NSW Department of Education. 📷🌳 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 📷🌳 Sapphire Coast Learning Community of Public Schools
From classroom desks to dining room tables. 📚 See how the students, parents and teachers from these schools navigated online learning, and what they learned together along the way. #EdWeek20
*Posted by the NSW Department of Education*
