In 1998 as the result of a successful submission to the Natural Heritage Trust and endorsement by the Education Department of Western Australia (now the Department of Education and Training), a Landcare Education Field Study Project was offered to rural education districts across the south of the state.

The education districts of Albany and Esperance accepted the challenge and set up programs.

Both centres were allocated teacher relief funding for thirty teachers and funding for administrative costs.

In each case a representative from the respective District Education Office worked with facilitators from either Agriculture W.A. or CALM in developing a program. All schools in each district were invited to be involved.

In both instances, interest was high, the workshops having a full complement of teachers attending.

The Geraldton, Warren-Blackwood and Narrogin Education Districts have also taken up the Extension Project. An overview of the project and guidelines for conducting the project are given below.

LANDCARE EDUCATION RURAL EXTENSION PROJECT GUIDELINES

Professional Development Field Study workshop for Primary and Secondary teachers in major rural Education Districts.

This project is aimed at reaching more teachers in and around major rural centres by taking the concept of the Tammin Alcoa Landcare Education project to the teachers. Whilst the time-frame may vary, the outcomes are the same:

To develop an educational process that will enable teachers and students to move from developing knowledge, understanding and respect to accepting responsibility and demonstrating active involvement in land, water and bio-physical management practices and strategies.

The above outcomes embrace environmental issues that are vital to the future of rural communities across the state.

So far over 950 teachers, from across the state and representing all school systems, have participated in the Tammin Landcare Education professional development courses.

This Landcare Education extension project envisages training a further one hundred teachers and community leaders over the next three years. A maximum of 30 teachers will receive one day teacher relief funding in each course. Teachers from Government, Catholic and Independent schools are eligible to participate.

Over the next two years courses will be offered in major rural education districts and their communities.

Each course will have relief funding provided to cater for teachers. This fund is being provided courtesy of the Natural Heritage Trust and Elders Ltd, through the Midlands Education District Landcare Education Project. Community leaders are also welcome and encouraged to participate.

It is recommended that where possible, districts back the teacher relief onto a weekend enabling the course to be extended without a dramatic increase in costing. Teachers can be accredited for the extra time as part of their professional development.

Criteria for the content of the course requires 80% field work and 20% lecture/meeting time over the total time allocated. Local field sites need to be selected that represent local degradation problems which are being rehabilitated using current landcare practices.

Every effort should be made to ensure that such courses involve hands-on activities through field studies where agency interaction takes place in a field setting, as opposed to lecture room situations.

It is envisaged that the program will involve input and support from the Department of Agriculture, CALM, Ribbons of Blue, local catchment groups, integrated catchment management (ICM) organisations, Local Government Agencies, interested community groups and District Education Offices. Where an education district chooses to conduct a course, an officer from that District Office must be appointed to coordinate the program. The appointed officer should seek support from the previously mentioned agencies and liaise with the Landcare Education Officer based in the Midlands District Education Office in Northam, from where the teacher relief funding will be administered. Alternatively, a working party may be formed to manage the project.

It is suggested that district course content be designed to complement local environmental issues whilst ensuring state and national landcare principles are addressed.

A report detailing the implementation process and the outcomes of the project will be required upon conclusion.

Funding and Sponsorship
The source of funding for your project comes from Natural Heritage Trust and Elders Ltd. Recognition should be given to both. Elders request that arrangements be made for roadside recognition (major Highways and Roads). Elders by negotiation will provide signage to attach to fences.

A banner at workshop and press recognition would be polite. Consult with local Elders manager and negotiate arrangements.

Funding Available through Midlands District Education
Teacher relief for 30 teachers is provided, based on a figure of $230 per teacher for one day.

Fifteen Hundred dollars ($1500) for administration and logistical costs is also provided. Districts can initiate a course cost framework of their choice if required.

Liaison
Once a district has been notified of authorisation (in writing) to conduction a course, close liaison should be maintained between the Midlands District Landcare Education Officer and local District Office representatives.

Districts have the option to select an appropriate term to suit their own district requirement.

Course Duration Preferred Option:Minimum 1 day (6-8 hours)
2 days (up to 16 hours) achieved by backing teacher relief (Friday) on to a weekend.

Suggested Procedure
Appoint coordinator to work with District Landcare reps (Department of Agriculture etc) and/or Community Landcare Coordinator (Shire appointee).

Establish a Small Working Party
Seek involvement from Department of Agriculture, Greening Australia WA, Water and Rivers Commission, Ribbons of Blue, Catchment groups, Local Government Authorities, CALM etc at a local level where possible.

Develop Course Format
Catering for thirty (30) teachers and community leaders (set your own limits on community participation).

80%-85% Field Work

15%-20% Theory

Course Content Includes
Landcare: Overview of what landcare is about. Objectives:- State – National – Historical background.

Landcare Education: Aims, objectives, and how schools and community can be involved. Curriculum resources, including natural resource management materials and resources.

Field Sites: Develop field sites in conjunction with Ag WA, or catchment groups. Develop some field notes and activities for sites where appropriate.

Pre-Training: District Education Coordinator should, where possible, attend a Teacher in-service course held at Tammin to gain an insight into the model that is used there.

Field Technician Agriculture: It is essential for the credibility of a program such as this, that the services of a field technician is coopted to conduct field sessions.

Evaluation: As the Midlands District Education Office is held accountable for the appropriate use of funds, evaluation results from both participants and district coordinators would be required. This information would provide a basis when completing continuing submissions by Natural Heritage Trust.

Resources: Some resources can be made available from the Midlands District Education Office, however suggest that necessary requirements are established/developed following consultation of proposed local planning.

NOTE:An effective Landcare Education course should have as far as possible an even spread of landcare, bushcare, watercare, and coastcare topics, resources, activities and examples etc.