Introduction

In the next section ‘Considering social action’ there are three suggested biodiversity projects. Students can consider these projects or identify a different biodiversity project that relates to their school grounds or local community.

When students are working with members of the local community, consult your school policy. (E.g., in some States anyone working with students have to have had a specific kind of police check or hold a Working With Children card.

See what other schools are doing by exploring a case studyhere.

Activity outline

Step 1

Collect ideas

Students collect ideas about the kinds of biodiversity projects they can do in the school grounds or their community. Projects could be done with external partners. Both small and large project ideas should be gathered. If students need to contact outside organisations, they should clear it through their teacher first. This list of ideas is to help students start their investigation and report back to the class:

Create a biodiversity indicator tool for your local community (find more information in 'Considering social action').
Work with community groups such as Landcare or a friends' group (find more information in 'Considering social action'). Students could help by developing brochures, creating web pages, organising a campaign or making other communication tools.
Maintain a school ground biodiversity project that has already been established.
Remove weeds from the school that can spread into other areas.
Build nest boxes (to be placed in trees by an adult) that can be placed in trees.
Establish some bird baths around native shrubs.
Create a habitat in the school grounds. These can be small or very large projects. For example, planting native grasses in garden beds is a small project with significant biodiversity outcomes.
Protect waterways by cleaning up litter and organic material that can be washed into the stormwater system.
Create a family tour guide of the local biodiversity hotspots.

While students are gathering information about their ideas, if they can, they should estimate how much time is involved and if there is any cost. Students can use the sample form that can be modified.

Step 2

Present ideas

Students present their ideas to the class, providing the kind of information suggested in the form ‘Biodiversity project ideas.’

List all the ideas on a board.

Step 3

Establish what is possible

The teacher may need to check with one of the school senior staff or a leadership team to find out what policies are in place when students are working with people outside of the school, working outside the school and doing outdoor projects.

Confirm how much time is available for students to participate in a biodiversity project.

Go through the list and cross off participation ideas that are not possible due to:

1. Takes up too much time by students and teacher

2. Can’t meet the school’s policies

3. Probably costs too much money or can’t get the equipment

4. Or probably has safety issues that can’t be solved.

Step 4

Decide

Using the list that is left:

Students discuss the merits and the drawbacks of each project.
They provide personal opinions about why the like some projects more than others.
They identify if more information is needed.

Students decide on a shortlist of potential projects they would like to do. It could be a series of smaller projects done by small groups of students.

Step 5

Confirm

Confirm from the short list in which projects are viable and choose the project or projects that will fit within the time and resources available.

Deciding on a Biodiversity Project

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Summary

Learning intentions:

Students will...

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