Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, one of the BCT’s four tasks is to promote ‘public knowledge, appreciation and understanding of biodiversity and the importance of conserving biodiversity.’
BCT Education Program Objectives
The BCT is focusing its education efforts on private land conservation. We are taking an approach of designing and delivering educational projects in partnership with expert organisations, including Landcare NSW, the Australian Museum and Petaurus Education Group.
The BCT’s education projects to date have reached over 1780 students and provided professional development to 172 teachers across the state. See all Biodiversity Conservation Education Program outcomes below.
Schools
Conservation Champions
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Conservation Champions is a free education project run by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust with the help of Petaurus Education Group.
The project includes curriculum-linked class lessons, excursions, resources and professional development opportunities for NSW schools, providing regional students with the opportunity to learn about the importance of biodiversity conservation across a range of different landscapes.
Elements of the project aim to connect motivated students to a champion landholder who is promoting biodiversity conservation, as well as scientific experts in biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices.
A series of ‘Biodiversity on my land’ boxes developed with the Australian Museum are used throughout the Conservation Champions program, and contain additional engaging activities and resources including games, puppets, bush treasure hunts and picture books.
An online interactive unit targeted at year 11 agriculture students is also used as part of classroom activities, adding flexibility to the project. This interactive unit includes a cause and effect module, highlighting the ecosystem services conservation areas can provide to an agricultural landscape.
Conservation Champions is aligned with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum requirements and involves a range of free primary and secondary resources (available for download below). The resources and lessons are linked with the curriculum for stages 1-6 and excursions linked for stages 5-6.
The entire project is free for schools, including assistance with travel arrangements. All presenters have their WWCC & First Aid.
If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in Conservation Champions, please get in touch by filling out this short online form.
Free primary school resources
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Learning Activity
1.33 MB
What is biodiversity?
An overview of the key elements that make up the word biodiversity
Download
(PDF, 1.33 MB)
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Learning Activity
1.2 MB
Ecosystem services
An overview of the categories of ecosystem services that support primary industries and landholders
Download
(PDF, 1.2 MB)
Enjoy the games below by printing and cutting out!
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Learning Activity
4.5 MB
Celebrity heads
A native animal version of classic game - celebrity heads!
Download
(PDF, 4.5 MB)
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Learning Activity
1.48 MB
Tree corridor game with pieces
A biodiversity conservation edition of traditional 'snakes and ladders'
Download
(PDF, 1.48 MB)
A biodiversity conservation edition of Monopoly! See game and pieces plus card decks below.
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Learning Activity
2.09 MB
Conservationopoly board, dice and pieces
An in-depth game with a focus on biodiversity conservation in an agricultural setting
Download
(PDF, 2.09 MB)
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Learning Activity
2.27 MB
Conservationopoly card decks
Card decks to print and cut out as part of Conservationopoly game
Download
(PDF, 2.27 MB)
Enjoy the activities below by printing and cutting out!
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Learning Activity
1016.1 KB
Woodland ecosystem activity
Match native species with their habitat in a woodland ecosystem
Download
(PDF, 1016.1 KB)
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Learning Activity
350.08 KB
Koala crown
Cut out, staple and wear!
Download
(PDF, 350.08 KB)
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Learning Activity
164.55 KB
Parrot crown
Cut out, staple and wear!
Download
(PDF, 164.55 KB)
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Learning Activity
2.54 MB
Colouring in biodiversity
A fun colouring activity
Download
(PDF, 2.54 MB)
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Learning Activity
828.44 KB
Biodiversity find-a-word and maze
A fun and simple learning activity
Download
(PDF, 828.44 KB)
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Publication
2.86 MB
I am similar, we are different - children's book
A story about the special features of threatened native species
Download
(PDF, 2.86 MB)
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Publication
9.97 MB
Biodiversity on my land box supporting resources
Resources to support the activities included in the Biodiversity on my land - museum in a box
Download
(PDF, 9.97 MB)
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Publication
1.24 MB
Quick activities instructions
A selection of quick activities to support the Biodiversity on my land - museum in a box
Download
(PDF, 1.24 MB)
Free secondary school resources
A biodiversity conservation edition of Monopoly! See game and pieces plus card decks below.
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Learning Activity
2.09 MB
Conservationopoly board, dice and pieces
An in-depth game with a focus on biodiversity conservation in an agricultural setting
Download
(PDF, 2.09 MB)
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Learning Activity
2.27 MB
Conservationopoly card decks
Card decks to print and cut out as part of Conservationopoly game
Download
(PDF, 2.27 MB)
Landholders
Conservation Management Videos
The BCT’s conservation management video series is for landholders participating in private land conservation or considering doing so. They provide best practice management advice to landholders and complement the BCT’s conservation management guidelines available here.
Conservation Management Tools
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Publication
1.77 MB
Grazing management tools
A deck of grazing management 'cards' to assist with measuring healthy condition vegetation and ground cover, identify who's grazing in your paddock, and set up photo monitoring points. Print, cut out and attach together as a handy guide.
Download
(PDF, 1.77 MB)
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Publication
127.96 KB
Sward height ruler - all BCT regions
Print and cut out this ruler (double-sided) to assist in measuring average sward height of native grasses in your conservation area.
Download
(PDF, 127.96 KB)
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Publication
139.76 KB
Sward height ruler - Central West region
Print and cut out this ruler (double-sided) to assist in measuring average sward height of native grasses specific to the Central West NSW in your conservation area.
Download
(PDF, 139.76 KB)
BCT BioBites
The BCT’s BioBites video series featuring BCT staff was created in 2020. These short videos for kids and big kids at heart who love learning about biodiversity without having to travel.
Partnerships
Landcare NSW
In May 2020 the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, the Hon Matt Kean, announced a new partnership between the BCT and Landcare NSW. The BCT is providing up to $1.34 million over two years to fund a series of local projects and activities to support conservation on private land. These projects will be delivered in the second half of 2021, with a focus on landholder capacity building and biodiversity education in regional communities.
Past projects
Books
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Publication
23.95 MB
Biodiversity Conservation at Boorowa
A book by students Isabella Piper, Ella Mcintosh, Emma Craig and Carrie Smith.
Download
(PDF, 23.95 MB)
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Publication
18.78 MB
Biodiversity Conservation at Mater Dei
A book by students Holly Reinke, Jack Dunlop, Larissa MacDonald and Luke Krvavac from Macarthur Anglican School, Cobbitty.
Download
(PDF, 18.78 MB)
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Publication
17.23 MB
Biodiversity Conservation at Moona
A book by students Emma McCallum, Patrick Taggert, Hayden Kelvey, Austin Schofield, Bella White, Carly Fisher & Sophie Stringer.
Download
(PDF, 17.23 MB)
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Publication
9.69 MB
Biodiversity Conservation at The Yanko
A book by Year 5/6 students of St. Joseph’s Primary School, Jerilderie
Download
(PDF, 9.69 MB)
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Publication
17.31 MB
Biodiversity Conservation at Fowler’s Gap
A book by Year 5/6 students from School of the Air, Broken Hill and Hay.
Download
(PDF, 17.31 MB)
