Creating a web of green

B4C has a network of schools it assists in various ways. Projects entail capacity building for the schools, including environmental education, geography and hands-on activities involving revegetation, sustainable living and healthy food and waterwise gardens.

Healthy Food Gardens
Using permaculutre, no-dig gardening principles and latest gardening techniques to encourage home vegetable growing and seed propagation.

Waterwise and Habitat Gardens
An audit of the school's environmental features and key assets can be undertaken and projects derived from this process can be initiated. Examples are mulch gardens to protect habitat trees, wildlife friendly native gardens, wildlife corridors created through school grounds, permaculture and bush tucker gardening. Assistance with school native plant landscaping.

Catchment Awareness Presentations
Introducing ecosystems and catchments, and seeing how we are all responsible for sustaining them. We use local areas and species as examples. Presentations are tailored for the age and interests of each groupand include hands-on games.

Threatened Species Presentations
Considering what causes species to be recognised as "threatened", "vulnerable", and "significant"; looking at feral animal control, habitat loss, and what part we can play in reducing environmental threats. Presentations are designed to suit the age and interests of each group.

Catchment Bus Tours
Organised by respective high schools students are taken by B4C and provided with an expert guide to sites (chosen in accordance with the curriculum). Suggested sites include: the Oxbow at Hemmant, Wecker Road bridge, sites of major infrastructure works which impact on the catchment and wetlands (Port Rd, Powerlink lines) and major riparian zone revegetation (covering a 22 year period)

Propagation Workshops
Classes are guided through a bush rehabilitation project involving growing seeds and local natives, potting on and planting out seedlings. Planting may be done in school grounds or in an area of Whites Hill Reserve where the seedlings will be monitored by B4C volunteers.

Animal and Biodiversity Displays
Can be arranged for fetes or special days at the school.

Nature-based Recreation
Guided activities including Spotlighting Walks to look for nocturnal animals, or daytime walks into Whites Hill Reserve for accompanied groups during school hours.

A "Tail" of Murder - an environmental mystery story from Whites Hill Reserve (see below)
Clues take our detectives and the class on a search for "victim" and "culprit" as they investigate a "Tail" of Murder in Whites Hill Reserve. This is especially suitable for primary school groups and uses OHP illustrations and a booklet (also available on-line). Download powerpoint presentation.

The following schools are involved with B4C's school program:

Mansfield State School   | Mt Petrie State School  | Tingalpa State School   | Holland Park State School   | Hemmant State School  | Belmont State School   | Mansfield State High School 
Mt Gravatt State High School  | St Peter Catholic Primary School, Rochedale