School Groups
We are currently taking bookings for our 2023 planting season.
Our planting season usually runs from April to November, but can include other periods where conditions are favourable.
Who can take part in our programs?
Our programs are open to schools (primary, secondary and tertiary education), community groups (scouts, etc), corporate volunteers.
Our programs are designed to take positive action to help our endangered species the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum.
The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater have two majors aims:
- To protect existing habitat and plant future habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater
- To raise awareness about the plight of the Helmeted Honeyeater and enlist broad community support for the Recovery project.
Education Programs on offer:
Excursion:
Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area excursion:
Min 2 hours to full day. Early bookings advised.
- Junior citizen science activities – explore Helmeted Honeyeater habitat, binocular use, look at seeds and nests and other activities.
- Discussion on Helmeted Honeyeater biology and conservation
- Habitat planting (normally April – November).
- Learn about the indigenous nursery
On-site facilities vary across the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area. School groups will have access to bus parking, indoor/outdoor classrooms and toilet facilities during sessions with us.
School incursion:
45 minutes or longer at request.
- Interactive presentation on Helmeted Honeyeater biology and conservation
- Opportunity for a ‘Field trip’ in school grounds to undertake junior citizen science activity – understanding nests, habitat assessment, including binocular use and data collection.
- Presentation and activities tailored to age group. Limited incursions available throughout school year.
We can also offer linkages with our project partners Melbourne Water and Zoos Victoria (Love Your Locals Challenge) to expand your school’s threatened species recovery engagement.
The Helmeted Honeyeater is an excellent case study to integrate into science, geography, and sustainability curriculum. The survival of this critically endangered species, Victoria’s (bird) State Emblem, illustrates the needs of different species for particular habitat requirements, the impacts that human activities can have, and how science and conservation management can facilitate the recovery of species from the brink of extinction – and students can be involved in recovery actions, too!
Early years and Primary Education kit
The Helmeted Honeyeater Education Kit has been developed by BirdLife Australia, with support from the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA’s Yarra4Life programme, with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. The Education Kit includes detailed lesson plans and activity resources for early years/kindergarten (five lessons) and primary school teachers and educators (twelve lessons) divided into four levels: pre-school, foundation-two, three-four and five-six. The lessons are sequenced using an inquiry-based learning approach.
The Education Kit has been developed to inspire educators and students to increase their knowledge of, and connection with, the Helmeted Honeyeater and other threatened species. The aim is to support educators and students to enjoy participating in conservation action to protect Helmeted Honeyeaters and their habitat, and develop a lifelong commitment to conserving the natural world.
Click HERE to get your free download of the Education Kit and the associated resources.
What we aim to achieve:
- The opportunity for your students to become citizen scientists, participating in the scientific process
- The opportunity to investigate real-life, local conservation challenges, problem solve and take part in concrete action to address issues related the Helmeted Honeyeaters and biodiversity conservation.
- To capacity build for your students to take ownership of their local environments and threatened species through exposure to learnings from a best-practice threatened species recovery model
- Offering linkages to the school curriculum F-10.
- Science: Science Understanding & Science Inquiry skills.
- Maths
- Critical and creative thinking
- English
- Can to catered to your area of interest.
All programs are delivered by fully credentialed biologists and environmental educators.
For VCE Environmental Science Students and Teachers to enable a Biodiversity Assessment.
These booklets are for teachers and students undertaking Environmental Science in VCE and are written in line with the guidelines for 2022-2026, specifically Unit 3- How can biodiversity and development be sustained.
Click HERE to get your free download of our VCE Helmeted Honeyeater Case Study.
Click HERE to get your free download of our VCE Leadbeater’s Possum Case Study.
A winning formula
Our total revegetation for 2018 was 31,152 plants. This was all done with volunteer participation through schools and community groups – a massive effort!
Since the release of the first captive bred birds into the wild from Healesville Sanctuary in 1995 in conjunction with our continued habitat restoration efforts, the Helmeted Honeyeater population has been making a substantial comeback. Now is your chance to get involved and help turn this recovery into a boom!
Our educational programs are funded by charitable donations. Whilst we do not have set costs for our educational sessions we rely on the support of the community as every little bit helps! This also enables our organisation to provide programs to under resourced school communities. If you would like to make a donation and be part of the community that ensures the success of our conservation efforts and the survival of Helmeted Honeyeaters into the future, please speak to the Environmental Coordinator when placing your booking.
Safety considerations
The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater make every effort to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for your students to learn in. Please notify us of any special considerations regarding students welfare and specific needs when making a booking.
- The Friends expect that adults accompanying students will be active participants in the day’s activities and manage behavioural issues. We encourage the participation of parents
- We provide the equipment & training to undertake the activities safely
- The Friends Environmental Coordinator has a Working with Children Check, Level 2 First-aid and carry a mobile phone & first-aid kit
- Teachers and supervisors should also carry first aid kits, mobile phones and emergency contact numbers at all times
- All participants should wear sensible outdoor clothing and gloves, and dress for the weather conditions. In wet weather gumboots are advisable.
Postponements due to high fire risk days / Extreme weather
To ensure the safety of all participants, excursions to Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area do not operate on days of high fire risk or high winds. In the event of extreme weather conditions, the Friends will contact schools about postponing the event. We endeavor to give as much warning as possible and visits can be rescheduled.
How can I find out more and book an activity?
For enquiries regarding program content, logistics and bookings please contact the Environmental Coordinator on the details below:
P: 5964 8341 M: 0419 023 622
