Department of Environment and Conservation
EcoEducation

By Lisa Ingram

(This article is reproduced from Environment and Conservation News 12/11)

STUDENTS enrolled in the University of Notre Dame’s Foundations for Environmental Education unit spent a day at Beelu National Park earlier this month, taking part in environmental education activities with DEC’s EcoEducation branch.

DEC EcoEducation Officer Leonard Thorn said the morning session immersed students in traditional Nyoongar culture. “We demonstrated how to make a fishing fence and took the students on a mock fishing expedition, with many of them catching a fish,” he said. “We then went on a forest walk where we explored the traditional use of plants and animals.”

University of Notre Dame students learning how to ‘catch fish’ using a traditional
fishing fence with DEC EcoEducation Officer Leonard Thorn.

The afternoon session involved a sensory blindfold rope walk trail led by DEC Education Coordinator Lisa Ingram, which allowed students to practise their teamwork skills and navigation strategies with good old-fashioned humour!

University of Notre Dame Lecturer Paul Pulé commented on the fantastic support with the logistics and delivery of the program.

"The excursion was an integral aspect of the SE3/550 Foundations for Environmental Education curriculum,” he said. “It gave students a chance to see how professional environmental educators present their lessons and learn what they might incorporate into their own lesson plans and pedagogical approaches.

“It was also a chance to get away from the classroom and be in the forest, not simply talking about environmental education, but actually doing it.  “I will be recommending EcoEducation and the centre to my colleagues.” 

Visiting lecturer Liz Lewis also took part in the activities.