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Discover ways to embed learning and action for climate, biodiversity, and waste management into your education space.
 
People looking closely at a plant

Self-Guided Excursions at Piney Lakes Reserve

Piney Lakes Reserve is located at the heart of the City of Melville and has a unique history including Noongar culture, land use changes, and conservation action. Plan a self-guided excursion at Piney Lakes Reserve using the links below.
 
  • Self-Guided Tour – Explore Piney Lakes Reserve to discover its history, learn about Noongar culture and experience the diversity of Perth’s unique natural environment.
  • ClimateWatch Trail – Follow the interpretive signs on this trail to learn about indicator species and engage in citizen science by recording observations on the ClimateWatch App.
  • Piney Lakes Reserve StoryMap – Discover nature's wonders on a self-guided walk through beautiful banksia woodland and paperbark swampland.
  • Piney Lakes Orienteering Course – Experience nature and develop navigation skills.
  • Piney Lakes Play Trail – Using the free Play Trails app, complete a digital scavenger hunt and unlock challenges, solve puzzles and quiz questions, and score points!

For further information or to discuss additional resources you can borrow (eg. field guides), contact the EcoHub on 9364 0791. If you’d like to book a room for complementary activities or presentations, please visit City of Melville EcoHub on SpacetoCo.
Toddler feeling a banksia flower

Early Years Educators

Positive experiences in nature during early childhood are so important for fostering a love of the environment, as well as enhancing physical and mental wellbeing
 
Early years educators play a vital role in providing opportunities for young children to engage with nature.
 
  • Little Green Steps WA – Offers educator workshops, professional development sessions, and interactive incursions on topics such as waste, composting, and biodiversity.
  • Early Childhood Sustainability Directory (Perth) – A comprehensive guide to sustainability resources and programs for early childhood educators.
  • Nature Play WA Online Courses and Onsite Workshops – Professional development opportunities to build outdoor learning skills.
  • Nature and Me Activity Cards – Printable cards that promote outdoor activities for young learners.
  • Nutmegz Education – Online and onsite learning for early years educators on topics such a waste management, veggie gardening, composting, recycled materials in play.
 
If you would like to host a professional learning event on this topic at the EcoHub in Winthrop we would be happy to provide free venue hire.

Professional Development and Networking for Educators 

Connect with networks and programs that offer professional learning, collaboration opportunities, and access to sustainability education support.
  
Note: Free venue hire at the City of Melville EcoHub is available for professional development and educator events relating to sustainability and environmental protection.
 

Curriculum Resources and Education Providers

Energy and Climate
Transport
Food
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
  • DBCA Nearer to Nature and River Guardians – The City of Melville has a partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions allowing them use of the EcoHub and various reserves (including Point Walter and Piney Lakes) to run excursions.
  • Jane Goodall Institute Australia and Roots and Shoots Program – Supporting youth led action to improve their world. Provides resources, education programs and grants.
  • ReWild Perth – Resources for creating a biodiverse gardens and taking action for local species.
  • Perth NRM Adopt a Beach – Incursions and excursions for primary and secondary students to learn about the marine and coastal environment.
  • WA Wildlife Hospital – Discover WA’s unique wildlife, the threats they are facing, and how we can help with incursions and excursions for all ages.
  • Turtle Watch Education Kit – Teacher resource to help protect local turtle species.
  • Nature Play WA Passport and Play Trails – Encourage outdoor play while building knowledge of local biodiversity.
  • SERCUL Education Programs – Incursions, excursions and resources on local waterway systems, the animals and plants that live their and how we can look after them (including native gardens and bush tucker).
  • Angela Rossen – Combining biodiversity science and art, and connecting to community.
  • Eco ActionEnvironmental education and art experiences for schools.
  • Kids Nature Club – Incursions for early childhood and primary schools on minibeasts and pollinators.
  • Junior Landcare – Biodiversity – Resources focused on native flora and fauna.
  • Native plants for schools - The City of Melville invites local schools to register their interest in participating in a National Schools Tree Day planting (more information on this can be found at Get Involved As A School - National Tree Day) and receive up to 100 plants per school. Plants will be allocated to interested schools until the allocation is exhausted on a first in basis and be available in June. To register your interest, please email City of Melville’s Natural Areas Community Officer brian.walker@melville.wa.gov.au.
  • Loanable Wildlife Camera - Borrow a wildlife camera from a City of Melville library and see what animals visit your patch.
Waste and Recycling
Water
  • Water Corporation Waterwise Schools – Free incursions, virtual tours, and lesson plans to teach students about water conservation.
  • SERCUL Education Programs – Incursions, excursions and resources on local waterway systems, the animals and plants that live there and how we can look after them (including native gardens and bush tucker).
  • YourHome Water -  Comprehensive source of information about creating a waterwise home.
General Sustainability
  • Sustainable Schools Program and Getting started with Sustainability in SchoolsRubrics, case studies, and resources for embedding sustainability into the classroom, school, and community.
  • Millenium Kids  - Empowering young people to become leaders and change-agents in their communities.
  • Green Lab - A citizen science and action program designed by young people to increase, protect and monitor tree canopy within the Greater Perth area.
  • YourHome - Comprehensive source of information about creating a sustainable and climate-friendly home.
  • Nutmegz Education – Sustainability education for children and educators including incursions and resources.
First Nations
Place Names Melville - Centering and celebrating Noongar language and knowledge, the Place Names Melville project decodes ancient meanings embedded in Noongar placenames within the City of Melville.
Aboriginal Productions - storytime, guided walks, cultural awareness, dance and music. 
Nyungar Tours - Learn about significant cultural sites, hear traditional stories, view Aboriginal artefacts and learn about bush foods and traditional medicine.
Djirrily Dreaming - Authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences including school programs. 
Kaartdijin Noongar - Website sharing Noongar culture. Includes curriculum links.
Noongar Boodja Language Centre 
South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL) Bush Tucker Incursion - all years.
WaterWise Schools – Water in Aboriginal Culture. Incursions and lesson plans (years 3-10).
Nearer to Nature Djarlgarra Yarning Excursion - Learn about Nyoongar people’s strong connection with the wetlands and rivers that flow across the Swan Coastal Plain. (K-12, professional learning program also available.)
Paperbird Books
Magabala Books
Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project - Books for Y2-4.
Youth
We encourage secondary teachers to explore the resources above as many are still relevant for secondary curriculum. However, we have also pulled a few options to specifically list below.

Switched On Schools (AYCC)
– High school workshops that build climate leadership skills.
Transperth Get on Board – Incursions, excursions, and educational resources. (Some programs for Years 7-9)
Grow Cook Eat WA – Food systems education, gardening, and cooking (up to year 10).
OzHarvest FEAST – A curriculum-aligned food waste and nutrition education program (Years 7 and 8).
DBCA Nearer to Nature and River Guardians – The City of Melville has a partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions allowing them use of the EcoHub and various reserves (including Point Walter and Piney Lakes) to run excursions. Up to Year 12.
Jane Goodall Institute Australia and Roots and Shoots Program – Supporting youth led action to improve their world. Provides resources, education programs and grants.
Perth NRM Adopt a Beach – Excursions for secondary students to learn about the marine and coastal environment. (Check the "At Beach Activities" for up to Year 12)
WA Wildlife Hospital – Discover WA’s unique wildlife, the threats they are facing, and how we can help with incursions and excursions for all ages. (Up to Year 12.)
SERCUL Education Programs – Incursions, excursions and resources on local waterway systems, the animals and plants that live their and how we can look after them (including native gardens and bush tucker). Up to Year 12.
REmida WA – Creative reuse centre offering incursions and recycled materials. Option for high school students.
Water Corporation Waterwise Schools – Free incursions, virtual tours, and lesson plans to teach students about water conservation. (Up to Year 10).

Citizen Science Programs

Engage students in real-world scientific research through citizen science initiatives.
 
Explore locally relevant citizen science projects  
 
You can find other projects by visiting the project finder by Australian Citizen Science Association and the Atlas of Living Australia, or this interactive widget by Guardian Australia.
 

Recorded Webinars

Listen to audio recordings of webinars we held on sustainability topics.

Ecology and Management of the Swan Canning River

 

Our Love-Hate Relationship with Plastic


Choose to Refuse - The Case of Reusable Coffee Cups



All audio content is the property of the City of Melville under the Copyright Act 1968 and must not be copied, republished or reproduced without the City's written permission.

Take a Virtual Tour of Piney Lakes

If you can’t make it here, take a virtual tour of Piney Lakes Reserve.

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