Eco-education programs celebrate 10th anniversary: Minister

13/11/02
Eco-education programs developed in Western Australia are producing a new generation of school students with conservation values, Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said today.
Dr Edwards was acknowledging the 10th year of programs developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management for students of all ages.
Since their launch in 1993, the programs have had more than 110,000 participants and influenced not only the children but also their teachers and families.
"Their real success has been their ability to touch a chord with students of all ages and encourage them to look at nature in a new light," Dr Edwards said.
"This has been demonstrated regularly over the 10 years.
"Not only do children learn from their hands-on bush experience how humans depend on natural systems, but they are empowered to personally contribute to conservation.
"This is very encouraging for our future management of the environment and the need for all sections of the community to share responsibility for conserving our heritage."
The programs based at the department's Hills Forest Discovery Centre in Mundaring offer students practical learning from excursion and camp activities. They also provide teachers with professional development and participating schools with curriculum linked resources.
"In recognising this milestone, it is very satisfying to report that schools' eco-education is going from strength to strength," Dr Edwards said.
"In the last two years programs have been established at a Wellington Discovery Forest and students from the Bunbury, Collie and Harvey areas are developing a sense of ownership of Wellington National Park and the jarrah forest.
"In 2001, when it was launched, more than 2,000 students, teachers and other adults were involved.
"Schools from all over the State continue to participate in another eco-education initiative, which involves them in the department's wildlife recovery program, Western Shield."
Through this program more than 67,000 students and teachers have been made aware of the plight of our small mammal species and how they can act individually to help save threatened species.
Dr Edwards said the anniversary provided an opportunity to thank supportive schools such as Applecross Primary School - which has raised $5,000 over the past five years for conservation projects - and others that have run programs.
These include Walliston, Willetton and Falls Road (Mundaring) Primary Schools; Penrhos College; Perth Modern School; and John Forrest and Lynwood Senior High Schools.
Dr Edwards acknowledged the contribution of Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and its volunteers, which are integral to many programs, and invaluable partnerships with the Department of Education's Aboriginal Education section and the Water Corporation.

Alcoa World Alumina Australia had generously sponsored the programs for four years, and volunteers from the Mundaring community made an important contribution to the programs, improvement of facilities and resources at the Hills Forest Discovery Centre.
Minister's office: 9220 5050