There are a broad range of educational resources and programs to support you to inspire the next generation to be environmentally aware.
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Schools
ResourceSmart Schools
Get free, tailored advice to help your school save money, resources, and build environmental leadership
Offered by Sustainability Victoria, this free program provides a 5-star certification framework that supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across their facilities, community and curriculum.
Registered schools work with sustainability experts to complete up to five modules to develop a whole-school environmental management plan and meet benchmarks for resource use. Modules focus on biodiversity, energy, waste, and water use.
Learn more
Connect with local flora, fauna and waterways
Celebrate National Tree Day in term 3 by joining one of our annual school planting events at a local reserve or park. Subscribe to our Sustainable Schools and ELC's Newsletter for updates on upcoming plantings.
Getting involved in citizen science is a great way to help your students connect with nature. By observing and recording plants, wildlife or activity in our waterways, students can contribute data to scientific research and help protect forms of life that call our urban environment home.
Find out more about the biodiversity citizen science initiatives your school can get involved on our Support Biodiversity page.
Visit a local park, wetland or waterway near your school to connect learners with biodiversity in our urban environment. Ideal excursion sites to observe wildlife and indigenous flora include:
- Yarra River (Birrarung); take a historical tour along the river with Life of the Yarra audio tour
- Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot), including Glen Iris Wetlands
- Urban Forest Reserve, Malvern East
- Lost Lands Found eco-art installation at Central Park, Malvern
To discuss how we can help you tailor a local excursion to suit your school or centre's educational and curriculum outcomes, email environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Learn more about recycling
Our recycling partner, Visy, has learning resources available. Play a sorting game, navigate a virtual tour of a recycling facility, or download the activity book. Visit the Visy website for more information.
Early Learning Centres
Nature Play
Promote healthy physical, social and cognitive childhood development by encouraging nature-based play. Our Nature Play Handbook(PDF, 3MB) is a practical and easy-to-use guide for educators and families. It provides resources and ideas about how to integrate nature play into early years education.
Looking to start a nature playgroup in a local park or reserve? To register your group and find a space that's right for you, email us at environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au
For more nature-based play ideas, visit the Kids in Nature Network Facebook page and look out for Nature Play Week events each April.
Get discounted compost bins
Compost Revolution offers discounted compost bins and worm farms to schools and ELCs.
To find the right system for your school or ELC, email environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Book your free waste incursion
Schools and ELCs can book free waste education sessions through our education partner, Cleanaway. Incursions are available for all year levels (K-12). Topics include:
- recycling right
- composting
- reducing litter
- plastic reduction
- circular economy.
Limited bookings are available for each school term. To secure your free incursion for the upcoming school term, complete the online form.
Register your interest
One of our Waste Education Officers will contact you to confirm your booking.
For more tips and resources, visit our avoid waste and recycle page.
Sustainable and active transport
To find out more about how we can support students to travel to school using sustainable and active transport modes, email transportplanning@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Helpful resources
Birds in Schools
Birds in Schools is BirdLife Australia’s environmental education project. It teaches students to identify and monitor birds, explore their habitats and ultimately take action for local birdlife.
Cool Australia
Cool Australia has a wealth of free, curriculum-linked sustainability lessons and unit plans in its digital resource library. The self-paced professional development modules suit all subject areas and year levels.
Environment Education Victoria (EEV)
Environment Education Victoria (EEV) is an independent, professional organisation that supports sustainability educators from early years to tertiary with educational resources, professional development and networking opportunities.
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water has a great range of curriculum-aligned, interactive games, treatment plant tours and lesson resources for both primary and secondary schools.
Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP)
Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) is a Victorian Government-funded program that provides learning resources and data loggers to schools to help track water usage, identify leaks and educate students about water efficiency.
TROPICSU
TROPICSU has a huge, global collection of digital climate change teaching tools and learning resources for a range of subjects and ages, designed by teachers for teachers.
For more information on how we can support your school or ELC, email our City Environment team at environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au