2018 NRM EducationAchievements Report

NRM EducationInspiring and empowering young people to connect with and value our environment.

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NRM Education ProgramThe NRM Education Program in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin region is playing a critical role in inspiring and empowering young people to connect with and value our environment. This report highlights some of the achievements from 2018.

Why do we work with young people?Approximately 23% of South Australia’s population is made up of young people up to the age of 18.The youth of today will be the resource managers and decision-makers of the future. Working with students fosters lifelong learning skills and achieves meaningful social change.Schools are often the heart of the community and can play an important role in influencing family and community members to take informed action related to natural resource management (NRM) issues.Connecting with nature is also shown to have huge physical and mental health benefits, especially for children.

How do we work with young people?The NRM Education team is currently made up of four education officers (2.8 FTE) and a team leader. The team delivers a range of services to schools including youth leadership programs, teacher training, education sessions, technical support, and opportunities to participate in on-ground action. This program is funded by the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resource Management (NRM) Board and the NRM levies, enabling landholders and community to play an active role in our region’s future.

“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

- David Sobel

page 3Meet the team

Danielle DutschkeMurray BridgeGrowing up on a farm near Karoonda, exploring the outdoors has always been one of Dani’s favourite activities. This led her to become a member of the River Murray Youth Council in high school. Her interest in the environment drove her to study in Cairns and to complete a sustainability project in Africa. Her goal is to share with others how amazing and important the environment is.

Bec StevensBerriBec grew up in Renmark and loved living on a fruit block that was a five minute drive from the river. Her greatest joy when working with young people is giving them the opportunity to discover places she explored as a child.

Cindy KakoschkeBerriCindy grew up in the Riverland and while she left for a time to pursue a graphic design dream, the smell of rain on red dirt and the gleam of the river brought her home. Passionate about the Riverland region and getting kids outside to experience their local environment, Cindy hopes to inspire young people to appreciate their backyard and learn how to preserve what we have for future generations.

Angela BreedingMount BarkerAngela grew up in outback South Australia, which is where her love for learning about the environment developed. She loves seeing the light bulb moment young people have when something clicks. Her favourite spot in the region is Lake Bonney at Barmera, where she spends her summer holidays with her family.

Chris SteerMount BarkerChris is the team leader of NRM Education. Chris grew up in Adelaide and developed a strong connection to the river while spending weekends at the family shack on Lake Alexandrina and at Murray Bridge with friends. He enjoys seeing the change we can make to improve our environment for future generations.

page 4Fast facts

58 out of 77 schools in the

SA Murray-Darling Basin

worked with the NRM

Education team

159 Year 5-7 students from

37 schools became Young

Environmental Leaders

(five more schools from 2017)

43 high school students were

River Murray Youth Council

members (a 34% increase

from 2017)

65 teachers learnt about

environmental issues at

professional development

sessions and teachers

from 17 schools received

one-on-one support24 media mentions

including newspaper

articles and radio

interviews

2524 students participated

in more than 100 classroom

sessions on frogs, bats, water

quality, macroinvertebrates,

wetlands, tracks and scats,

birds and the River Murray

(more than double the number

from 2017)

The NRM Education Program has a huge ripple effect as the student leaders and teachers we work with take their new knowledge and skills back to the wider community in the hope of building a more sustainable society.

page 5What we offered this yearYoung Environmental LeadersNearly 160 students from 37 schools in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region participated in the Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) Program. Each term we visit a local place and learn about a new topic.Students earn badges by sharing their knowledge and skills through presentations to their classes, writing newsletter articles, running activities with younger students and taking action to look after the environment.There are three YEL groups - Adelaide Hills & Fleurieu, Murraylands & Mallee and Upper Murray.

River Murray Youth CouncilThe River Murray Youth Council (RMYC) is a fantastic opportunity for high school students who are interested in the environment to come together to meet new people, learn new skills and have input into what should be done to protect our natural resources.Our goal is to empower young people to make decisions about their local places and contribute to a healthier local environment.There are two RMYC groups - Upper Murray and Lower Murray.Members visit local sites including national parks and wetlands where they take part in hands-on activities and on-ground projects that help to conserve and protect the environment.

Teacher professional developmentAt professional development workshops, teachers hear from experts about different environmental topics and have the opportunity to network and share ideas over afternoon tea.

Citizen scienceCitizen science is the collection, analysis and sharing of knowledge by members of the public. Citizen science projects enlist everyday citizens (such as students) to collect or analyse data for real-world research studies.Students take part in the Waterwatch water quality monitoring program and bird and bat workshops. They use apps to collect data about frogs, echidnas, birds and turtles.Citizen science allows students to become the eyes and ears for their community.

Resources, loan kits and supportWe provide lesson plans, activities, resources and loan kits that enable teachers to explore environmental topics in depth. We also offer one-on-one support to teachers to help them plan their lessons and activities or improve sustainability at their site.

Classroom sessionsWe offer a range of sessions that can support teachers’ lessons. Presented either in class or on site at a local spot, the sessions are interactive and engaging. Topics include frogs, native plants, wetlands, soils, the River Murray, bats, macroinvertebrates, threatened species, tracks and scats and other environmental issues.

page 6Our themes: linking with government prioritiesThis year we aligned our program with the Department for Environment and Water’s (DEW) corporate plan. Each term focused on one of the four goals of the corporate plan:• Responding to climate change• Sustaining our natural resources• Connecting people with nature, parks and places• Managing water for the future.Activities at YEL and RMYC days, and professional development topics aligned with these themes.

Responding to climate changeIt is vital to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We teach young people about the causes and local impacts of climate change and, most importantly, what they can do at school and home to help mitigate and adapt to the effects.

Sustaining our natural resourcesHaving a strong and healthy natural resource base supports diverse and resilient systems, a thriving economy and vibrant communities. Our natural resources include water, soil, flora and fauna. We teach young people about how to care for these important resources.

Connecting with nature, parks and placesOur region has some amazing local parks and places, and it is important for young people to know about and care for these places.

Research has shown there are many benefits from connecting with nature including mental and physical health benefits.

Water for the futureWater is a key part of life in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region. A healthy, working River Murray is vital to support the health of the environment, industry, communities and the economy. We teach children about the function and management of the River Murray and its wetlands, as well as ways to conserve water.

Young Environmental LeadersTerm 1: Responding to climate change• Held at Goolwa barrages, Riverglades Wetlands (Murray Bridge) and

Moorook Riverfront.• Students learnt about the difference between weather and climate,

global warming, causes of climate change, impacts of rising sea levels, photosynthesis and the way plant enzymes work, impacts on crops, turtles and native fish, and how barrages and fishways work.

• Activities included feeling the effect of global warming, climate change pictionary, pledges to reduce ecological footprint, a tour of the Goolwa barrages and exploring the dry Yatco Lagoon.

Student feedbackI will tell my friends and family about the greenhouse gases and how we can stop climate change.

I liked seeing Yatco Lagoon, counting all the mussels and listening to Peter and James explain.

I want to talk to my family about the lake and how it all works. I found it very, very interesting how creatures live in the clay.

Teacher feedbackI thought the explanation of photosynthesis was highly engaging and told a clear message for the students.

Learning about how climate change can affect native turtles

Getting warm as we learn about the greenhouse effect

Inspecting the dried out bed of Yatco LagoonChecking out the Goolwa barrages

Earning badges: news spreaderStudents used a template to develop a captivating newsletter article about the YEL forum and climate change, earning them their news spreader badges.

Young Environmental LeadersTerm 2: Sustaining our natural resources• Held at Jakem Farm (near Callington), Meldanda (near Cambrai) and Poonthie

Ruwe Conservation Park (near Tailem Bend).• Students learnt about the different natural resources available and how they

should be shared between humans and the environment, weeds and seed dispersal, native plant species, revegetation, the importance of monitoring ecosystems and irongrass grasslands.

• Activities included tree planting, plant and habitat surveys, seed collecting, and weed identification and removal. Students used their maths and science skills to try several different ecosystem survey methods.

Student feedbackI knew it was important to plant trees but not really why. Today has taught me what planting trees and caring for them means.

It’s nice going home knowing I’ve helped and every time I go past here it will remind me that we all helped.

There are so many different ways to take care of the environment, like teaching others about it.

Teacher feedbackMy favourite part is that you give the opportunity for children to be engaged in practical, hands-on activities.They have learnt more about the importance of planting native species.

Recording how many plants have survived since being planted a year ago

Learning how to assess riparian habitats

Planting native grasses at MeldandaPlanting trees around the 4WD track at Jakem Farm

Earning badges: presentationStudents learnt how to plan a good presentation by working on the ‘why, what, how and what if’ and practiced their public speaking skills by making up some very creative stories.

Young Environmental LeadersTerm 3: Connecting with nature, parks and places• Held at Kinchina Conservation Park (near Murray Bridge) and the Barmera

Environmental Expo.• Students learnt about a local park (Kinchina), how to navigate using GPS

units, mindfulness and showing gratitude, and local threatened species including frogs, snakes and macroinvertebrates.

• Activities included identifying tracks and scats, bush yoga, ecocaching, nature art, bushwalking, identifying macroinvertebrates (water bugs), playing a habitat game and taking part in student-led workshops and lessons on environmental topics.

Student feedbackKinchina Conservation Park is an awesome place!

Ecocaching is really fun and you can learn new things.

Getting outside makes you smarter, focused and happy.

I learnt that different people learn in different ways.

I learnt that all of the poops from animals are different!

Teacher feedbackThe conservation park is a great place to learn.Before today I thought a bushwalk with my class would be too hard, but now I think I could make it really engaging.

Most students were first-time visitors to Kinchina Conservation Park

Practicing our tree poses during bush yoga Identifying animal scatsIdentifying macroinvertebrates at the Barmera Environment Expo

Earning badges: kids teaching kidsStudents learnt that we all learn in different ways and so we need to use range of teaching methods including hands-on activities. Students then planned a workshop to run for younger students at school.

Young Environmental LeadersTerm 4: Water for the future• Held at Lawari Conservation Park (on Hindmarsh Island), Woodlane Reserve

(near Mypolonga) and Maize Island Conservation Park (near Waikerie).• Students learnt about how much water is available for humans and wildlife,

the history of Lawari and Maize Island conservation parks, turtles, native fish, wetlands, regulators (weirs, locks and barrages), environmental watering, how much water we use around our homes and the River Murray Youth Council.

• Activities included removing tree guards, building a river and wetlands system out of plasticine, exploring the new Maize Island walking trail, playing water sharing games and brainstorming ideas for next year’s YEL.

Student feedbackMy favourite part of YEL this year was being outside.

My favourite part of YEL was knowing what I can do to help the environment.

I noticed the hard work that the RMYC did to make the walking trail.

Teacher feedbackThe students were unaware of how water flowed down the river and that there was such a thing as water allocations. They came back to school concerned about water and the current drought and how they could help.My students have built leadership skills and begun to show initiative within the school community.

Building a model of the river system out of plasticine

Taking action by removing tree guards

Celebrating the final YEL for 2018River Murray Youth Council members sharing the signs they designed

Earning badges: take actionStudents learnt about the importance of conserving water and were challenged to limit their shower time. Every student received a timer to help monitor how long they spend in the shower.

River Murray Youth CouncilUpper Murray: Maize Island Conservation ParkSince 2015 the Upper Murray River Murray Youth Council (RMYC) members have acted as guardians of Maize Island Conservation Park. This year, after successfully securing a grant through the Fund My Project: Riverine Recovery program, the members researched, designed and installed interpretive signs and trail markers along a new walking trail. The trail was dedicated to a passionate member of the Waikerie community and advocate for the park, Peter Jacobs.The RMYC were mentored and assisted by Riverland West Landcare and the Rotary Club of Waikerie. The RMYC members will have an on-going presence and input into the future management of Maize Island.

Quotes from RMYC membersThe thing that amazed me the most was how well we worked together and how fast we knocked off the last posts.

Quotes from RMYC mentorsIt feels good to inspire kids to want to do good things for the community and the environment.

Installing trail markers - gotta make sure it’s straight!

One of the interpretive signs along the new trail

Adding the trail marker platesRiver Murray Youth Council members at the launch of the trail

Funding for ‘Youth Voice for Maize Island’ comes from the Fund My Project: Riverine Recovery program. It is part of the $98 million joint Australian and South Australian governments’ Riverine Recovery Project, to improve the health of the River Murray and its wetlands and floodplains from the South Australian border to Wellington.

River Murray Youth CouncilLower Murray: Monarto Zoo campAfter a concerted recruitment drive at the start of the year, 43 students signed up for the Lower Murray River Murray Youth Council. As most were new members, we held a camp at Monarto Zoo in February to bring everyone together. With games that tested teamwork, communication, creativity and leadership, the members quickly formed friendships.As well as learning about climate change, the members got to help out behind the scenes (shovelling rhino poo!) and toured the zoo.To wrap up, students heard from NRM staff and people working in the environmental field about projects they could get involved in this year and voted on their top three. This youth voice process gave the members ownership over the work they would be doing in 2018.

Quotes from RMYC membersI loved the activities with other people and getting to know everyone and make new friends.

I enjoyed helping the zoo and meeting new people.

I learnt about the conservation projects at Monarto.

I loved going on the bus tour and seeing all the animals.

I’m most looking forward to learning how to be a ranger and what they do.

Camps are fun!

RMYC members using their communication skills to guide their buddies

Some of the RMYC members getting up close to a rhino

Members loved staying at Indaba Bush Camp in Monarto ZooWorking as a team to flip the tarp

Top three projects for 2018• Day as a Ranger at Lawari Conservation Park• Art in Parks at Tolderol Game Reserve• Mallee Park Projects at Ngarkat

Conservation Park

River Murray Youth CouncilUpper Murray and Lower Murray• Forums were held during the term and school holidays, with an emphasis on

taking action to look after the environment.• Forums were held at Maize Island Conservation Park, Meldanda (near

Cambrai), Berri Rodeo Ground lunettes (sand dunes), Kinchina Conservation Park, Tolderol Game Reserve, Ngarkat Conservation Park, Chowilla Game Reserve, Swanport Wetlands and Moorook Game Reserve.

• Members learnt about the national parks system, introduced species, birds, fishways, wetland regulation and management, fire management, environmental water delivery, Aboriginal culture and land use, frogs, locks and weirs, photopoint monitoring and habitat monitoring.

• Activities included installing walking trail markers, planting native grasses, collecting data from wildlife cameras, checking nest boxes, conducting a prescribed burn audit, rubbish collection, ant monitoring, birdwatching, cleaning toilets, scar tree monitoring, repairing fences, removing tree guards, seed collecting, helping with community events and water quality testing.

• We also made time for fun with frisbee golf, bushwalking, mosaicking picnic tables, kayaking and cooking damper.

Quotes from RMYC membersI enjoyed walking the trail and identifying the animal prints and scats.The nest watching was really fun and informative.The smoking ceremony was a good cultural learning experience.I’m happy to know that other people will see what we have done.It’s like I’m helping people to enjoy this place even more.

Checking water quality at Chowilla Game Reserve

Learning how to check wind speed before a prescribed burn is conducted

Installing trail markers at Moorook Game Reserve

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Collecting rubbish at the Berri lunettes

River Murray Youth CouncilUpper Murray and Lower Murray

Our completed mosaic table

Bags of rubbish collected Learning about scar trees

Mosaicking a picnic table at Tolderol Game Reserve Bushwalking through Kinchina Conservation Park

River Murray Youth Council members at Ngarkat Conservation Park Checking, photographing and GPSing nesting boxes at Meldanda

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Birdwatching at Chowilla

River Murray Youth CouncilUpper Murray and Lower Murray

Installing trail marker posts

Collecting seeds from native grasses Visiting the chimps at Monarto Zoo

Helping out with ant monitoring at Kinchina Conservation Park Assessing fire fuel loads at Ngarkat Conservation Park

Collecting rhino poo at Monarto Zoo Geocaching at Swanport Wetlands

page 16School holiday eventsThis year we held events during the school holidays that connected people with local places and nature, and got them involved in citizen science. The events were targeted at families with more than 200 people attending.

Birdwatching funFamilies joined bird guru John Gitsham for a walk around Laratinga Wetland in Mount Barker to spot some of the many birds that call the wetland home. John shared some amazing facts about the different species and played a bird call game. Afterwards, children made and painted their own bird feeders to take home.

Family fungi foraysFamilies explored the fascinating world of fungi at Kuitpo Forest with fungi gurus Jasmin Packer and Nicola Barnes. Armed with ID charts, the participants found all sorts of cool, colourful fungi and learnt about what makes them so special. Children then made their own fungi models out of plasticine.

Nature festivalSwanport Wetlands in Murray Bridge was the site for our first ever nature festival, run with the Eastern Hills & Murray Plains Catchment Group. Many families participated in workshops about fish, macroinvertebrates, frogs, bush foods and native plants. They also completed a geocaching challenge, identified mystery scats and took part in a nature scavenger hunt.

OSHC programsWe visited several out of school hours care (OSHC) programs during the holidays, running workshops about macroinvertebrates, the River Murray and tracks and scats. OSHC sites reported that many of these days booked out, with many children eager to learn about these topics and take part in fun hands-on activities.

page 17Teacher professional development sessionsOur professional development sessions are a chance for local teachers to learn about natural resources and environmental issues, develop their skills, network with other educators and find out more about what the NRM Education team offers.

Waterwatch trainingTeachers took part in Waterwatch training sessions in Berri and Mount Barker to learn how to test water quality, identify macroinvertebrates and use the Waterwatch database. Our new macroinvertebrate kits were shown off with many teachers interested in borrowing these resources.

Learning about natural resourcesTeachers visited Investigator College’s brand new eco centre at Currency Creek and learnt about the school’s environmental programs, before exploring NRM Education’s many loan kits and brainstorming how they could use the resources in their classrooms.

Connecting with nature, parks and placesTeachers visited Kinchina Conservation Park (many for the first time) and took part in a bushwalk, stopping at points of interest and listening to an audio tour about the park’s history and its flora and fauna. We shared many activities that teachers could do with their students in the park with many promising to return.

Waterbug blitzJohn Gooderham, the waterbug guru, ran workshops in Mount Barker and Berri for members of the public interested in improving their waterbug (macroinvertebrate) identification skills. Many children also attended, as the workshops were official Children’s University events.

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Classroom sessionsWhile we have always offered classroom sessions to support teachers’ lessons, we were overwhelmed by the interest shown this year.We conducted more than 100 sessions and engaged more than 2500 students in topics such as frogs, birds, water quality, native plants, wetlands, soils, bats, macroinvertebrates and other environmental issues. Nearly half of these sessions were held in Term Two, with local media picking up the story of our success.

Achievements and eventsBarmera Environmental ExpoThe Expo – now in its 11th year - is an amazing ‘Kids Teaching Kids’ event organised by Barmera Primary School. It takes place over two days and all primary schools in the Riverland are invited to attend and participate in workshops or deliver a workshop teaching their peers about an environmental topic.On both days, the NRM Education team delivered macroinvertebrate identification workshops to approximately 40 students. On Thursday, Cindy delivered a session for all 263 children, inspiring them to ‘be the change’ and describing how we all need to make small efforts to create big change and contribute to the bigger picture.Students were asked to take their most important ideas, what they want to treasure, what they want to make sure is still here in the future and write it onto a piece of fabric. Their fabric strips were then weaved into a frame to create a bigger picture (representing our local environment with the river at the centre). The students have taken their small wish, their small idea, their small love of our environment and made it part of a bigger wish, a bigger dream for the future of our environment.

“The presentation from Cindy was inspiring. I loved hearing her story. It was interesting to think about how, as a kid, adults used to talk to her about looking after the environment and the river, and now she is telling kids about the same thing. It made me think about what I can do to look after the environment now and maybe what I can tell others later.” – Ella, Year 5 student at Monash Primary School

page 19Achievements and eventsKaroonda Farm FairAs part of the Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin display, the NRM Education team ran a Great Wicking Bed Challenge for people of all ages. Participants had to locate five wicking beds throughout the farm fair and complete a water saving activity along the way. Prizes were given to under 13s, under 17s and adults.

Riverland Field DaysThis year the NRM Education team display highlighted the amazing work of two local schools. Kingston-on-Murray (KOM) Primary School promoted their Riverlinx camp which invites South Australian schools to stay at KOM and learn about the local environment through student-led activities. Moorook Primary School promoted their work in encouraging students to be more involved in their local environment through the Yatco Wetland project.

Education Officer Danielle Dutschke with the wicking bed challenge winners

Landcare RoadshowThe Landcare Roadshow is an environmental expo that runs over two days, aiming to bring environmental experts to the regions to educate students. Students took part in concurrent sessions on topics such as tree planting, fish and frogs. Cindy ran five sessions using the new macroinvertebrates kit, showing models of macroinvertebrates to 93 children and talking about their cool features.

Other eventsNRM Education staff also attended and ran workshops and activities at the following events:• Murray Bridge North Primary

School Gala Day• Unity College Middle School Conference• Riverland Research Project Expo• Tyndale Christian School Family Fun Day• Kids on Country camp at Calperum Station• Family Day Care Big Mud Day Out• FungiMap Family Fungi Forays• Precious Plant for a Precious Mum: 175

students learnt about a local threatened plant species and gave their mum a seedling for Mother’s Day

Students learn about precious plants as part of a Mother’s Day activity

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Work experienceNatural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin provides work experience placements for students who are considering careers in natural resource management. Several students completed their work experience with us in 2018.

A work experience student helping with wetland monitoring

Achievements and eventsChildren’s UniversityThis year, Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin became a ‘learning destination’ for the Children’s University. School holiday workshops were advertised as Children’s University events, with members attending and getting their passports stamped.

Macroinvertebrate kitTo increase students’ understanding of macroinvertebrates (water bugs), local artist Toni Schwarz created fabulous models of some of our most interesting specimens. The loan kits also include identification sheets and fun facts about each macroinvertebrate.

New resourceChildren’s University members take part in a fungi foray

ScinemaScinema is an international festival for science film. Local organisations can hold screenings and select from hundreds of science films.Fifty people attended the Cinema and Citizen Science Experience at Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre in August, as part of Science Week. The audience, ranging from children to adults in their 70s, enjoyed the films that ranged from entertaining short animated films to fantastic documentaries with captivating subject matter such as the Best Film winner The Kingdom – How Fungi Made Our World.There was also a presentation about Echidna CSI, a new citizen science app used to track echidnas.The presentation of the Riverland Citizen Science awards was a highlight with Nick DeMartino receiving the senior award and Declan May receiving a junior award. Both have contributed significantly to events and activities in the Riverland this year.

page 21New resource and the ripple effectUpstream teacher resource packUpstream is a book created by Barmera Primary School students with local author Liz Frankel. It tells the story of Pearl the callop trying to make her way up Eckert Creek but encountering obstacles along the way. Our teacher resource pack includes information and extension activities for classes to use in conjunction with the book.Every primary school in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region received a class set of the books, along with fabric animal models.

Kingston-on-Murray (KOM) Primary SchoolKOM host a ‘Riverlinx’ camp at the school. Schools from all over SA are invited to stay at the school and participate in environmental activities and workshops. These workshops are presented by the KOM students themselves. After receiving the Upstream books, resource pack and fabric characters this year, four students developed their workshop based on the story book. They converted the characters into puppets by sewing a strip of fabric to the back. They developed a series of dance moves that correlate to the words in the book for the way each character moves. The students read the Upstream book to their audience and teach them the dance moves. By the end of the story everyone is up and dancing along to each character’s moves. It’s a great, interactive and playful way to read the story and pass on the messages to the visiting students. KOM students have also shared some of the copies of the book with the visiting schools.

Renmark Primary SchoolAfter receiving and reading the Upstream book, two classes from Renmark Primary School have made it their mission to learn more about the river, fish passage and regent parrots. The Year 2/3 classes contacted NRM Education and organised a trip to visit Lock 5 and Margaret Dowling Creek at Paringa to learn more about locks, weirs and fish passages. Cindy and Bec delivered sessions on hollow logs, habitats and water sharing. Robbie Bonner from Lock 5 spoke to the children about the lock and took them on a tour of the new fishway at Margaret Dowling Creek. Since this visit, the classes have continued their learning with a class session and games about threatened species and some in-class learning about regent parrots. They even accessed some data from the regent parrot monitoring project and have been analysing the number of regent parrot nests at sites across the Riverland.

page 22Case studiesMoorook Primary SchoolStudents from Moorook Primary School have been learning about Yatco Wetland this year. Through a partnership with the school, local community, Loxton District Landcare, Yatco Wetland Landcare Group and NRM Education staff, students have developed a good understanding of the wetland, why it is managed as it is and what it means to them.The students have visited the lagoon to learn about wetting and drying cycles and the ecology of the wetland environment. They have developed their own research questions on topics such fish species, habitat and the value of the lagoon to members of the community.As these students work more closely with their community and learn about their local environment, they are developing a stronger sense of belonging. They are asking more questions about how and why and what they can do to ensure the local environment is maintained into the future.Students are participating in photopoint, fish and vegetation monitoring to give them that sense of ownership and importance and so they can see the changes taking place with the wetting and drying of the wetland. Students are passionate about sharing their knowledge so they have committed to attending community meetings to promote the work they are doing. The students hope to encourage other community members to get involved and connect with their local environment too.

Mount Compass Area SchoolThe uniqueness of Mount Compass Area School’s Swamp Ambassadors program resulted in the school being awarded the national Landcare award for the Junior Landcare Team.The student-led environmental program allows the young people to preserve the unique swamp next to the school.Students learn about the endangered plants and animals that live in the swamp and then act as tour guides for visitors, including students from other schools.This program was initially started by the NRM Education team as part of the federally-funded Fleurieu Swamps project. It’s great to see the students take ownership of the project and continue to train new Swamp Ambassadors each year.

Swamp ambassadors Alysha, Seb, Summa, Josh, Chelsea, Jacob, Matthew, Emilie, Jessie, Charlie, Courtney L, Kelsey. Absent: Ruby, Sophie, Grace, Courtney H.

page 23Case studiesBerri Primary SchoolIn Term Two the NRM Education team organised and delivered sessions to each science class at Berri Primary School. Over 240 students from reception to year 7 were engaged in classroom sessions about food webs, bats, macroinvertebrates (waterbugs) and frogs. The aim of the program was to engage students in understanding the needs of living things and the important part the students can play in looking after the environment.

STEM AmbassadorsSeveral local schools were part of the Department of Education’s STEM Ambassadors program this year. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. Murray Bridge North Primary School students led the charge after hearing about local environmental issues from Angela at a STEM workshop. They decided to host a wetlands day at Swanport Wetlands with other STEM schools. The NRM Education team and a Wetlands Officer ran activities about wetlands, water quality and food webs. Following the wetlands day, the students worked on STEM projects at school, which were presented at the STEM Works opening day.

Investigator CollegeWith a brand new Trade Skills Centre at their Currency Creek Eco Centre site, Investigator College teacher John Freebairn planned a year-long program to get all Reception-Year 6 students to visit the site over three week blocks to learn about biological science topics through a range of hands-on activities including:• water quality testing• identifying local native plants, macroinvertebrates, frogs,

fish, birds, bats and butterflies• plant propagation and seed treatments• habitat restoration for birds, frogs, butterflies and other

local animals• the SEEDS project and preservation of threatened species.NRM Education staff helped John with resources and activity ideas, and Dani ran sessions on frogs, water quality and macroinvertebrates.The R-6 Eco Centre program enabled students to spend quality time engaging with nature and learning about the importance of protecting and improving our environment.

“For me as a teacher who is passionate about preserving the natural environment, it was fantastic to see students so excited about visiting the site and to share in their enthusiasm as they participated in the different activities. The different year level excursions definitely helped encourage students to become custodians of the natural environment and to develop a sense of responsibility in caring for our local plants and animals.”

– John Freebairn, Investigator College teacher

page 24What do teachers think about NRM Education?As well as evaluating each individual program or session, teachers are asked to fill in an online survey about the overall support provided by the NRM Education Program. This information is used to continually improve the program so that it best meets the needs of schools.The service, information and dedication we received from Cindy and Bec in Berri was outstanding, they helped us on so many levels and our students still talk about them and the experiences they had a term later.

My students are very motivated and have great ideas which they didn’t have before they attended YEL.

My students became self-aware citizens inspired to make an impact, coming back to school with the aim initially to start by improving our recycling system. Now they have inspiration to do a whole school water saving challenge with their shower timers! From the experiences gained from the YEL sessions, my students have felt more confident to present to the whole school at assemblies and display leadership qualities.

The Kingston-on-Murray students borrowed kits to assist with our Kids Teaching Kids workshops delivered to visiting students as part of our Riverlinx program. The new macroinvertebrates kit was a great resource with large models and specimens to look at. For our Upstream workshop we were able to have Cindy visit with a model of a fishway and explain to the students how it worked.

YEL was particularly good in increasing student confidence and awareness especially when they brought it back to the whole school.

It was awesome how much help I received from the NRM this year. You helped me with expert advice and with running sessions with the students. Your staff engaged very well with the students and the students gained a lot from your sessions. They also loved the kits with the different games and stuffed animals.

I really enjoy the visits to different places each term. All the students that come thoroughly enjoy it, and all wish they could participate the following term.

Thank you to the NRM Education team for all the hard work you put in. You all do a great job and couldn’t do more to help. I feel very lucky to have accessed your programs as a student myself and now as a teacher I access your resources and provide similar opportunities to my students! YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!!

Our local NRM Education officers do a fantastic job in involving schools and their students in environmental programs and supplying resources and PD particularly with the depletion of funding to work with.

Students loved making the seed bombs. They understand the idea of only leaving your footprints and articulate this to their peers when someone wants to bring something back with us.

These sessions helped me to kickstart our school’s Waterwatch program. I was able to link Waterwatch into every year level’s Science focus this term, which has enhanced my own teaching and engrossed our entire student body in fun, engaging and real-life citizen science that gives back to the Australian scientific community and general public.

page 25Thanks to our supporters• Mick Shelton and Robbie Bonner, SA Water• Claudia Santori and Dr Mike Thompson,

Western Sydney University• Peter Szabo, Viticulture Technical Officer

for Accolade Wines• Jacqui Wilson and Sherie Bain,

Goolwa-Wellington Local Action Planning Association

• Jason Grech, Jakem Farm• Ben McCallum and Jo Clarke, Eastern Hills

& Murray Plains Catchment Group• Aimee Linke and Bob, Wayne and Sharon,

Mid Murray Landcare• Rachel Williams and Rowena Danks,

Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association

• John Gitsham, Nature Connections Birding Tours

• Jasmin Packer, Adelaide University• Michelle Clothier, Mel Treloar and Phil

Roberts, Lower Murray RMYC mentors• Dr Sylvia Zukowski and

Ruan Gannon, Aquasave• Peter Koch, Friends of Tolderol

Game Reserve• Alison Mugford, mosaic artist• Myles Fauser, Renmark Paringa Landcare

• Monique White, Murray–Darling Basin Authority

• Tracey Strugnell, Coorong Tatiara Local Action Planning Association

• Alice Howard and Jonathon Noble, Monarto Zoo

• John Gooderham, The Waterbug Company• Graham Halandal, Friends of Kinchina

Conservation Park• Angie Cullen, Trees for Life• Glenn Dean, City of Murray Bridge Council• Meredith Tothill, yoga teacher• John Freebairn and Nat Gilbert,

Investigator College• Maize Island support from Chris Teare, Ian

Oliver, Claudi Jacobs, Norm Wilson, Ena Turner, Heidi Zielke, Vivienne Wood and Cary Hocking

Our program would not succeed without the help from Natural Resources SAMDB staff, Landcare groups, university experts and volunteers. We would like to extend a massive thank you to these people:

Natural Resources SAMDB staff:• David Cheshire, Wetlands Officer• Steven Brock, District Officer• Nicola Barnes, Ecologist• Sylvia Clarke, Project Officer

(Community Monitoring)• Stuart Hicks, Ranger• Angelene McCracken, District Officer• Kerri Waldhuter, Engagement Officer• Andy Sheath, Regional Fire

Management Officer• Sophie Harrison, District Officer• Katie Irvine, Citizen Science Officer• Jodie Woof, Major Projects Officer• James Donaldson, Wetland Ecologist• Glenn Chisholm, Indigenous Ranger• Chris Koolmatrie, Aboriginal Project Officer• Hannah Spronk, District Officer• Michael Boon, Indigenous Officer• Alison Stokes, Senior Project Officer• Fiona Giles, First Peoples Coordinator• Kylie Moritz, Landscape Resilience Officer• Josh Rosser, District Officer• David Farlam, Team Leader

Aboriginal Partnerships• Phil Strachan, District Manager

Special thanks to Jodie Woof, who temporarily joined the NRM Education team while Bec acted in another role.

NRM EducationInspiring and empowering young people to connect with and value our environment.

page 26

This program is funded by the SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board and the NRM levies, enabling landholders and

community to play an active role in our region’s future.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/© Crown in right of the State of South Australia, Department for Environment and Water. Security Classification PUBLIC –I1-A1

Contact details

Upper MurrayBec StevensNRM Education OfficerNatural Resources Centre2 Wade StreetBerri SA 5343Phone 08 8580 1820Email bec.stevens@sa.gov.au

Lower MurrayDanielle DutschkeEducation OfficerNatural Resources Centre110A Mannum RoadMurray Bridge SA 5253Phone 08 8532 9103Email danielle.dutschke@sa.gov.au

Website: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin

Team LeaderChris SteerTeam Leader, Community EngagementNatural Resources Centrecorner Mann & Walker streetsMount Barker SA 5251Phone 08 8391 7515 Email chris.steer@sa.gov.au