Site Based Activities
Programs are developed to cater for a range of environmental education themes with emphasis placed on meeting VELS, CSF 11 and VCE requirements, hands-on learning and participation. Tailored programs are charged at $1.10 per hour (GST inclusive) per student for session time only. Charges are used to improve the education services at the Centre.
Self-guided programs are encouraged. Equipment and resources are available for teachers to run Landcare Centre activities or their own programs. Field based excursions include themes focusing on Landcare, forests, waterwatch, salinity, interpreting the landscape and geology. Special event programs are advertised widely and are free to all schools. Places are limited. (Arbor Week, Education Week, World Environment Day, Biodiversity Month) The Centre services pre-schools through post secondary providers.
The John La Gerche trail provides students will a window into the life of a forester at the time of the Ballarat Gold Rush. John La Gerche was passionate about his job and experimented with many different species of trees in his attempt to make sure there were trees and a "forest" for the future. The walk meanders through plantations of Oak and Pine, many of which were planted by La Gerche. The walk is an historic treasure providing walkers with a fascinating tale that links our past to our future. Yr 3 - adult
Take a walk along the Victorian Landcare Trail and discover more than you thought possible on this 800 metre trail through wetlands, regenerated forest and grasslands. The walk is well sign posted. Prep - adult
a three dimensional model of the Loddon Catchment is available as an education resource at the Victorian Landcare Centre. A range of activities Have been created to focus on the model, giving students of all ages the opportunity to learn more about geology, soils, landuse, vegetation and issues that are evident in this catchment.
The collection and identification of macro invertebrates from waterways is one way humans can determine the health of water. There are many macro invertebrates that live in our waterways and they all have different tolerance levels to pollutants. Students taking part in this activity have an opportunity to locate and identify some of the macro invertebrates that live in the Landcare Wetland. Through sieving and netting students will collect these creatures and then they will observe them in water filled tubs with the aim of identifying them using pictorial information sheets.
If time allows students may like to do a turbidity test to determine the clarity of the water or venture up to the Landcare Centre classroom and take a closer look at the macro invertebrates using the telescopic viewer. P - yr 10
This activity will give students an opportunity to learn about ground water and salinity. Through involvement in the game students will learn that some farms in Australia are actually pumping salty groundwater out of the ground to stop the watertable impacting on the growth of their crops. Following the game students will discuss the process of pumping and identify some alternative ways that salty groundwater can be kept at depth.
Using bush treasures such as leaves, bark, and flowers, students use their creativity to make bush jewellery such as necklaces, garlands and badges. The Victorian Landcace Centre supplies all materials. We collect our bush treasures from our garden, which has many native plants in it, rather than the bush that surrounds the centre. We do this so that we don't remove valuable food and shelter material that our native animals depend on. Prep - 6
A 3D model of the Loddon Catchment is located at the Victorian Landcare Centre. Using the question and information sheet provided, students will learn more about what catchments are and how they work. Yr 3 - adult
As part of this activity students will learn about the importance of riparian vegetation (plants that grow along the margins of wetlands) and about some of the plants that are indigenous riparian plants. Students will help plant these species along a creek that runs through the landcare centre. Prep - adult
Children explore a selected area of the Landcare Centre where they will use their observation skills to find natural materials matching descriptions or colour swatches. Once students have collected their materials opportunity is provided for them to sort them into categories. kindergarten through to grade 2
We have a lot of senses and one of them is touch - the aim of the game is to dip your hand into the box and determine how well your sense of touch works. This is a great game to develop describing skills. Prep - 3
Students will get the opportunity to utilise some of the equipment and be given information on the process of seed collecting and cleaning. Prep - adult
This activity will allow the children to explore Oak Gully and its treasures while they are pretending to be fairies camouflaged in the forest. The game requires the children to hide themselves within the forest and then, when called they have to quietly sneak out and form a fairy-ring. Also as part of the children's experience in Oak Gully they could play the bush detective game where they have to seek out material in the area which matches either a description or a colour. Prep - 2
This activity will give students an opportunity to take part in a fun hands-on activity, which will teach them about erosion and ways to minimise this form of land degradation. As part of this activity students will walk part of the Landcare trail to look at erosion and the efforts made at the centre to reduce its impact on the land. This activity looks directly at the impact water can have on unprotected soils. Yr 3 - 9
The sowing of seed for most people will hopefully be the start of a very rewarding journey as they observe their seed slowly develop into a mature plant.
In order to give a plant a good start in life we need to make sure we sow the seed correctly and this activity is about doing just that. The aim of this activity is to provide students with a step by step session on sowing seed with information given on seed, potting media, and watering requirements. Prep - adult
Having habitat surveys available to students as they walk around the landcare trail can assist them with observing more closely, their surroundings. The Landcare trail travels through wetlands, regenerated forest and grasslands, providing lots of opportunity to discover the wonders of our natural environment.
The walk is well sign posted. Prep - 9
This activity enables students to use their creativity to produce macro - invertebrates using a limited amount of pipe cleaners. Pictures are provided for the students to copy whilst undertaking this activity.
This game introduces students to the life and times of macro invertebrates. Through this game students explore some of the issues that macro's come up against in their watery environments.
We have 3 bores in close proximity to the Victorian Landcare Centre. Through hands on experience students will learn about ground water movement and salinity. A range of equipment is available for students to use during this activity including a fox whistle, bailer, and an ec meter. Yr 3 -Adults
Tree planting at the Victorian Landcare Centre gives students the opportunity to learn more about the techniques used in tree planting and more about why this activity is undertaken by thousands of volunteers every year. Prep - adults
Students listen to a story about the journey of a river from its headwaters through the catchment, listening to the impacts humans and their activities have on the water quality of a river. Students are involved ion the story by adding pollutants to a bowl of water as the story is read. The water looks foul by the end of the journey and the effects of pollution are graphically displayed! Prep - yr 9
In pairs, students are given an information card with clues to the whereabouts of certain native plants on the Landcare trail. By following the instructions and by matching the photos on the card to the plants on the trail, the students search for native trees and shrubs, identify the plants and learn some facts about the plant which they then pass on to others in their group. Yr 6 -9
Based on the new farm forestry curriculum resource for middle years, activities such as measuring tree height, timber volume and classifying forestry trees on the form of the tree are available for schools to participate in. These activities are suitable for middle years students.
Students work with a partner to measure out a square metre of undergrowth and list, sketch, observe and attempt to identify plant species within their square metre.
This activity allows students to compare different seeds and look at different triggers for germination, eg water, smoke, heat, moisture. Yr 7-9
Students use a bug catcher and calico cloth to go in search of natures recyclers - insects. The role of ecosystems is discussed and the important role insects play in them and the environment. Yr P - 8
Looking at the ways we can reduce, reuse, recycle, viewing the worm farm and compost heap and completing the eco footprint quiz.
