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
AUTUMN 2021 LOCATIONS *Applications NOW OPEN
- Whittlesea (applications close 31st March, outcome of application during week of April 5th)
- North West Hub: City of Melton, Hume City Council, and Macedon Ranges Shire (applications close 21st March, outcome of application week of 29th March)
This program is open to anyone over the age of 18, however preference is currently given to residents of the council areas.
Program places available via application for each program location.
Questions about the program
Contact: naturestewards@outdoorsvictoria.org.au
Applications for Autumn Closed
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)
North West Hub Program
Autumn Program:
When: 17th April – 26th June (excluding Queen’s Birthday long weekend) Field Sessions to follow after class, 1-5pm, 24 April, 22nd & 29th May, 19th June
Where: Rotation around the three council areas as follows:
Weeks 1 – 3 will be at the Global Learning Centre, Sunbury
Weeks 4 – 7 will be at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Kyneton
Weeks 8 – 10 will be at the Community hall, Civic Centre, Melton
Time: Saturdays, 9.30 – 12.30pm
Cost: Hub-council resident: Full $175, $45 Conc.*
Non-hub-council resident: Full $350, $90 Conc.*
*Concession: pension card, health care card or full time student
WHITTLESEA PROGRAM
Autumn Program:
When: 24th April – 3rd July (excluding Queen’s Birthday long weekend) Field Sessions to follow after class, 1-5pm, 1st & 29th May, 5th & 26th June
Where: Riverside Community Activity Centre, South Morang
Time: Saturdays, 9.30 – 12.30pm
Cost: Council resident: Full $250, $90 Conc.*
Non-council resident: Full $350, $90 Conc.*
*Concession: pension card, health care card or full time student
“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
“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
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