The Adopt a Bushland program is an innovative environmental education program. It teaches Primary School students, years 3 to 7, how to protect remnant areas of bushland in an urban setting. It outlines the issues facing these natural areas and how students can help change social behaviours and practices to protect bushlands for their future.

Through adopting a bushland, a school community can develop a nurturing attitude towards the local bushland environment and develop skills of flora and fauna identification, critical thinking skills, problem solving techniques and enhanced social value. Education is the key to change, and the City working in partnership with school communities through this program will achieve a positive environmental change for the future.

The Adopt a Bushland program is split into eight topics that are designed to be completed as a set, but can be completed individually. If you would like to complete the whole program and officially adopt a bushland the below registration sheet will need to be filled out and sent in to the City of Wanneroo. To learn the benefits of adopting a bushland please read the Teachers Information Kit.

Adopt a Bushland School Registration Sheet.pdf

Teachers Information

The 'Teachers Information Kit' is your guide to the Adopt a Bushland program. It outlines each topic, explains the milestone rewards program, gives a list of resources to further help your students and definitions of some of the terms you will find throughout the program. The Bushland Excursion Registration Sheet is also contained in this kit and must be filled out before taking students into the bushland environment.

Teachers Information Kit.pdf

Topic 1 - Setting the Scene

The introduction 'setting the scene' outlines where the City of Wanneroo is, what suburbs make up the City and how the vegetation changes from the ocean to inland areas.

Topic 1 - Setting the Scene.pdf
Topic 1 - Appendix 1.3 City of Wanneroo Reserves.pdf
Topic 1 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 2 - Why do we need bushland in Perth?

This topic describes in more detail the natural areas found in the City and why they are important. Topic 2 introduces threats to local bushlands and how human interactions can have a detrimental impact.

Topic 2 - Why do we need bushland in Perth.pdf
Topic 2 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 3 - Plant Communities

Begins to help students relate to bushlands on a social level. It details how the bushland plant community is similar to a suburb, and that flora and fauna have found ways to coexist and cooperate to survive.

Topic 3 - Plant Communities.pdf
Topic 3 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 4 - Habitats

This investigates more in-depth the bushland ecosystem and the intricate relationships between flora and fauna. The different layers of a bushland are examined to understand how each level has its own unique community.

Topic 4 - Habitats.pdf
Topic 4 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 5 - Flower Design

This describes how flowering plants (angiosperms) are so unique and what tricks they use to attract polinators. The life cycle of an angiosperm, plus all the flower parts, is learnt along with exploring the special relationship between pollinator and flower.

Topic 5 - Flower Design.pdf
Topic 5 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 6 - Bushland Weeds

This looks at the detrimental effects of weeds to our bushlands and how they can completely change an ecosystem. Five of the most invasive weeds are studied in depth and students will learn to identify them and how they can be managed without harming the ecosystem.

Topic 6 - Bushland Weeds.pdf
Topic 6 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 7 - Bushland Critters

This teaches students the range of native fauna found in bushlands and how to identify them. Students learn what the fauna eat, where they build their homes and what threatens them. Encouraging native fauna to come to your school and become part of everyday education is explored.

Topic 7 - Bushland Critters.pdf
Topic 7 - Completion Certificate.pdf

Topic 8 - Putting Things Right

The conclusion reinforces the key elements of the program for students in acting now for the future. Simple, everyday ways to help protect bushlands and its biodiversity are reviewed.

Topic 8 - Putting Things Right.pdf
Topic 8 - Completion Certificate.pdf