Promoting environmental education in Western Australia

Environmental education seeks to develop an understanding of the relationships between the elements of the local environment, positive attitudes towards it and skills which will enable people to actively engage in promoting its wellbeing

Kaya Bulup, Ngala kaaditj Wadjuk Noongar moort keyan kaadak nidja boodja.

Hello Everyone, I would like to acknowledge the Wadjuk Noongar peoples as the original custodians of this land.

Welcome to AAEE WA Chapter (AAEEWA)

Over almost 30 years, the AAEE has worked with government and non-government organisations in the interests of quality education and environmental change. The WA chapter is unique, involving a broad cross-section of environmental educators from diverse areas such as schools, government agencies, industry, universities, technical and further education centres, zoos, museums, parks and reserves, environmental education centres and community and conservation groups.

The AAEEWA network group meets every month on the third Thursday from 4.00 to 5.30pm at the Canning River Eco Education Centre. This provides an opportunity to keep in touch about the developments in Environmental Education in WA and to plan for joint projects with a diverse range of people.

AAEEWA also have a monthly E Bulletin called the Environmental Educators Network (EEN) that features events, training opportunities and ways to get involved with environmental education in WA. If you would like to subscribe to the E Bulletin or you have an event to advertise then email een@aaeewa.org.au.

WA Chapter Programs

LITTLE GREEN STEPS WA (LGSWA)

LGSWA is working with an extensive range of educational resources, networks and local communities towards giving children the confidence and skills to have a positive impact on their lives and environment. This includes childcare centres, preschools, family day care, kindergartens, after school care and long day care services for children aged 0-8 years. Linking to the National Quality Standard, Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum.

TURTLE WATCH

Turtle Watch is an AAEEWA project and includes a collaborative network of community partners and individuals who work to facilitate the conservation of snake-necked turtles. Turtle Watch also aims to assist in the collection of information, including educational materials, to enhance awareness of the biology and needs of the snake-necked turtle.

WASTE EDUCATION ReSOURCES

This project is a partnership between the WA Chapter and City of Cockburn, supported by the Waste Authority through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account. The waste education trailer was developed as a community resource for events, community days, festivals, schools, celebrations and shopping centres in the City of Cockburn. It includes static and dynamic educational resources, including waste and recycling games aimed to educate the community
about waste issues while still having fun.

Waste Wise Schools Program Support in Southern Suburbs

The WA Chapter has secured a contract with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for the provision of targeted educational strategies for avoidance and recovery of waste in the school context in the southern suburbs on behalf of the DWER for a period of three (3) years from 3 February 2020 to 2 February 2023. Schools will be supported to conduct audits of waste in schools and plan to reduce this over time. Teachers will receive professional support and opportunities to secure grants to assist in projects.

UPCOMING Events

21

June

Reclaim the Void – Rug weaving workshop. 9.30 – 11.30 AM at Canning River Eco Education Centre, Wilson

Reclaim the Void was born from Ngalia elders in Leonora, Western Australia, expressing their pain and grief at ‘those gaping mining holes left all over our country’. The idea was conceived to symbolically ‘seal’ one of the holes with an artwork expressing the story of country. Join us to learn how to create woven rag rugs. The WA Chapter will host this workshop delivered by Jennifer Pearson as part of the CREEC Hub for the project. More details found here.

08

august

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS WA – SOUTH METRO REGIONAL NETWORK

SS-WA regional network group meetings provide participants with an opportunity to share their respective schools’ sustainability journeys (successes and challenges) as well as hear from education for sustainability providers and supporters.

UWA-based Einstein First project will be presented by David Wood in relation to the education of students about climate science and sustainable energy futures. Curriculum links to empower students to lead discussions about climate change and the need for a carbon free energy world. Resources to support the development of student knowledge about climate science, climate change and the need for a sustainable energy future will be explored.

Registration details can be found here

10

august

catchments, corridors and coasts – one day program at perth zoo

Connecting Across the Catchment
The Catchments, Corridors & Coasts (CCC) program encourages participants and practitioners to engage in system thinking, recognising that every aspect of life occurs within a catchment. Sometimes in the upper catchment, sometimes in the corridor, sometimes at the coast and sometimes in all three. Every action we take, either helpful or harmful, has an impact on the catchment as a whole. Just like water, Education for Sustainability (EfS) occurs everywhere… from the upper catchment, throughout the corridor and to the coast.

Education for Sustainability practitioners throughout your catchment are working to provide excellent learning opportunities and positive experiences connecting people with the environment and each other for a sustainable future. This event will connect you with some of these practitioners to generate connections and create productive networks

Registration details can be found here

30

March

earth Day Expo – Friday 30th October –

9.00 AM – 2.00 PM at Canning River Eco Education Centre, Wilson.

The Earth Day Expo is held around March/April of each year at the Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC). Earth Day is celebrated around the world in more than 300 countries on the 22nd April. This is part of an international Earth Day Network initiative for global action. Animal encounters, environmental programs, hands-on activities and music feature in the day.

AAEE (WA) works in partnership with the Canning River Eco Education Centre and the City of Canning to host primary school children, parents and teachers for a day of learning about sustainability at CREEC. More details here.

View the Full Calendar

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AAEEWA have a monthly E Bulletin called the Environmental Educators Network (EEN) that features events, training opportunities and ways to get involved with environmental education in WA.

As a member of AAEEWA I am empowered to take transformative, whole systems thinking action to facilitate sustainability at home, locally, nationally and internationally. AAEEWA brings me joy and hope for the future by being with like-minded, action-orientated, caring and understanding friends.

- Dr Elaine Lewis

Coolbinia Primary School