GBSAN Schools Project
Member of the GBSAN Community Engagement Team – Janet Morris and Geraldine Hollingsworth meeting with Ballandean SS Principal, Susan Evans.
GBSAN is working on connecting with and collaborating with local schools to include local biodiversity and cultural awareness into cross curriculum activities. We have commenced a pilot project with Ballandean SS with a focus on the endangered Bell’s Turtle.
This initiative is critical in engaging our younger generation and encouraging their active participation in protecting the unique fauna and flora of the Granite Belt region. By focusing on a single species, students have the opportunity to gain deeper insights into its habitat, the threats it faces, and the broader cultural significance of the area and its wildlife.
The proposed project is designed not only to involve young people in meaningful, hands-on conservation and educational activities, but also to foster a sense of connectedness and resilience within the community. Strengthening partnerships across the community is a key element, ensuring that the project’s benefits extend well beyond the classroom.
The funding being sought for this project will provide students with practical experiences alongside biodiversity experts, as well as opportunities to learn from the cultural knowledge of First Nations people. In particular, students will take part in revegetation activities along the creek, which will support cross-curriculum learning objectives and deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship.
This innovative project also responds to the increasing levels of eco-anxiety experienced by young people. Recent research shows that while individual efforts to address environmental concerns can alleviate anxiety, collaborative and social action has a much greater impact. By working together and building social connections, the project will help young people address environmental threats while supporting their mental wellbeing.
Contact Geraldine community@gbsan.org.au is you would like more information or like to be involved.