DUE TO THE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS, CURRENT NATURE STEWARDS PROGRAMS WILL BE DELIVERED ONLINE.

Nature Stewards Program

Become a Nature Steward and learn about your local environment, meet like-minded people, and find ways to get outdoors and volunteer!

Nature Stewards is a 10-week program that will introduce you to your local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places, including:

  • Rocks and soils
  • Fungi, plants, and animals
  • Climate change and seasons
  • Ways to care for Country and manage private property
  • Being a citizen scientist, conservation volunteer, advocate for nature, or a nature guide
  • How and where you can get outdoors and volunteer in your area

WINTER/SPRING 2020 LOCATIONS

  • Melton
  • Geelong
  • Manningham

This program is open to anyone over the age of 18, however preference is currently given to residents of the council areas.

20 places available, via application, for each program location.

Current Applications Closed

Participant area

Orange jackets on beach: Wilsons Promontory NP Friends of the Prom volunteers, Parks Victoria

Questions about the program

Contact: naturestewards@outdoorsvictoria.org.au

PROGRAM INFO

  • 10 x Weekly classes (3 hours)
  • 4 x Field sessions  (4 hrs)

Certificate of completion

Expectations

  • Over the age of 18
  • Best suited to those with little or no formal environmental education
  • Willing to try, or continue, environmental volunteering
  • Able to take part in Saturday field trips (4 during program, 4 hours in length)
Geelong Program

Spring Program:

When: 19th September – 28th November, (excluding Melbourne Cup)

Saturdays, online via Zoom 

Sessions 1 – 6: 2pm- 5pm

Sessions 7 – 10: 9 30am – 12.30pm

Cost: Resident: Full $84, $42 *Conc.
Non-resident: Full $210, $102 Conc.

*Conc.: healthcare card holder, pensioner & full time student

Where: Classes to be held online. Field sessions may be added if COVID19 restrictions allow.

 

Manningham Program (Warrandyte Area)

Spring Program  (program re-starting at Session 2)

When: 12th September – 14th November, (excluding public holidays)

Saturdays, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Cost: Resident: Full $94.50, $24.30 *Conc.
Non-resident: Full $189, 48.60 Conc.

*Conc.: healthcare card holder, pensioner & full time student

Where: Classes to be held online & field sessions to be held face to face for a small fee (subject to COVID restrictions; locations to be given upon commencement of program)

 

About

Program Presenters

Advisory Group

Three crouching, 1 standing: Friends of Bats and Bushcare volunteers at Yarra Bend Park, Parks Victoria

“This has been such a wonderful experience. I’ve learnt so much and feel motivated to learn more. Somehow I missed out on learning about these things in the past. Maybe because I moved schools a few times in high school. I’m such a devotee of nature and this is giving me a much deeper appreciation. The quality of the presenters has been extraordinary. I feel privileged to have met and heard their wisdom. I find myself sharing these learnings in conversation and surprising people with information about their local environment. It’s exciting.”- Leesa, Melbourne 2019

“The Nature Stewards program was an amazing opportunity to learn more about the ecosystems in Melbourne, in Victoria, and beyond. As an immigrant to Australia, I am glad to now know so much more about my new home – and about how to get involved in its natural environment. The combination of well-researched lessons, excellent guest speakers, varied volunteer information, and engaging field sessions made for an inspiring course. With the changing climate and a society that is still far too focused on consumerism and “using” resources rather than preserving them, I believe that this program is essential to the community, and that the city and state would benefit greatly from having as many people take it as possible. I am proud to call myself a Nature Steward.”– Adam, Melbourne 2019

“Thank you for the awesome opportunity presented in these field sessions and for arousing my curiosity in various aspects with regard to engaging with the nature around us.” – Chrysolyte, Melbourne 2019

It’s been a wonderful experience, and I have learned so much about nature and Victoria. There’s a lot of knowledge that will stay with me for my entire life, and many areas that I will do further research into!” – Sophie, Melbourne 2019

“The program has been very informative and all of the speakers have been excellent”– Mary-Jane, Manningham 2019

“It’s been life changing”- Louise, Melton 2019

“There were many highlights from the program! Rusty was passionate, engaging, knowledgeable. The expert presenters were fantastic and I always enjoyed listening and learning from them. Meeting like-minded individuals and feeling part of a collective with similar values and passions was another great part of the program.” – Katie, Melton 2019
 

“People I’ve met during the program, learning about new areas of interest e.g fungi, geology, aboriginal perspectives, the field trips, opportunity to present on a topic of interest.”- John, Melbourne 2019
 
 

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Founding Partners:

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