Sustainable Schools

The Biodiversity Module of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic assists schools to achieve the following measurable outcomes:

• Increase habitat by 50% on or off site (locality)
• Reduce weeds by 60%

The Biodiversity Module has four main themes:

1. Conservation of Land and Ecology as a Precious Resource and Natural Asset.

- protection of biodiversity in local areas;
- restoring of natural and ecological systems;
- enhancing opportunities for bio‐diverse ecological communities; and
- sustainable farming and land management.

2. Land and Bush Care

- the reduction of weeds and destructive species;
- protection of remnant bush;
- restoration of waterways;
- restoration of land;
- protection of endangered species, and ecological communities; and
- soil building.

3. Ecology and Habitat

- construction of habitat for indigenous plants and animals;
- projects inthe discovery of food webs, natural systems and eco‐systems;
- rodent and pest proofing; and
- protection of plants and animals.

4. School Ground Development

The development of school grounds as:
- habitat corridors
- haven habitats for indigenous plants and animals; and
- outdoor learning spaces for students and community.

Important note: the completion of projects and programs such as Biodiversity Up Close, LandCare, CoastCare, Water Watch, Salt Watch, LandLearn and local government programs constitute major components of this module.

If you are interested in undertaking the Biodiversity Module in 2012, please fill in the application form on the following link.

http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/RSAuSSIVic2012

Applications are due by 5pm on 25th November. For more information about funding in 2012 please read CERES and ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic in 2012.

If you completed the Biodiversity module school in 2009-2011 please fill out the survey on the following link.

http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/ResourceSmartSurvey

Great Biodiversity Websites:

Australian Antarctic Division.  http://www.aad.gov.au/

Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). http://www.acfonline.org.au/

Bioinformatics.  http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/bioinformatics/index.htm

Birds Australia. http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/

Department of Sustainability and Environment. http://www.dse.vic.gov.au

Frog Census: Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.frogs.melbournewater.com.au/

Greening Australia.  http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/

Landlearn.

http://www.landlearn.net.au/

Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC). http://www.mcmc.org.au/

Museum Victoria Biodiversity Snapshots. http://www.biodiversitysnapshots.net.au

Parks Victoria. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/

Tree Project. http://www.treeproject.asn.au/

Zoos Victoria. http://www.zoo.org.au/

Armadale Primary School's film about creating a new garden (below) was entered in the 2009 in the Futureshots Film Challenge. This film competition answered the question, "What is Sustainability?". Creating a film is a great way to get your school community excited about biodiversity! To view more videos, visit: http://www.futureshots.com.au/?screening