Environmental Science

Year 12 Environmental Science Excursion – Mount Rothwell

On Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th May, our Year 12 Environmental Science classes took part in an afternoon and evening excursion beginning at Ecolinc in Bacchus Marsh, before travelling to Mount Rothwell Sanctuary, a feral predator-proof reserve near the You Yangs.

At Ecolinc, students explored the importance of the endangered Victorian volcanic plains grasslands. They met the resident sugar gliders, analysed and identified mammal fur under the microscope, and used computer modelling software to investigate how populations of species change under varying environmental conditions. 

The Tuesday group were fortunate to be guided by former Gisborne Secondary College student, Tara Thompsen (Class of 2021). Tara has since completed a degree majoring in Ecology and shared her extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna within the ecosystem, greatly enriching the students’ experience. 

Mount Rothwell has undergone significant habitat rehabilitation and is now home to a range of endangered species, including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, and Spotted Quoll. 

The highlight of the evening was a nighttime spotlighting walk, where the grassland came alive after dark. Students observed small marsupials scurrying and hopping through the grass, including Bettongs, Eastern Barred Bandicoots, and the critically endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby (with fewer than 50 remaining in the wild). 

This excursion provided students with valuable insight into how biodiversity is monitored and managed, while also fostering an appreciation for the often unseen work involved in protecting and restoring Australia’s unique wildlife.