Outdoor Education Camp

On Wednesday 26th July, the Unit 4 Outdoor & Environmental Studies class set off in the cold and rain for Phillip Island to complete their final camp for the course. The trip had a broad study focus including:

1. Assessing the current state of Victoria's natural ecosystems;

2. Exploring a range of innovative ways in which environmental management can be balanced with economic and population growth; and

3. Analysing the process of conflict management that was undertaken throughout the construction of Victoria's desalination plant.

To achieve these goals, students explored the Koala conservation centre and participated in an education session with local rangers. They also toured the desalination plant before mountain biking around some of Phillip Island's parks and reserves. They even braved the cold and sea kayaked throughout the RAMSAR protected mangroves of Rhyl inlet.

Before leaving the island, the group also volunteered their time to help rangers remove invasive Marron Grass from the sand dunes at Shelley Beach. This work will provide habitat for the endangered hooded plover along with other threatened sea birds that inhabit the area.

It has been an amazing year and the group has developed a deep appreciation for the important role they will play in deciding the future of our natural environment. It has been a pleasure working with all of them and I look forward to seeing the outcome of their hard work as the academic year continues.

Nathan Guthridge

Outdoor Education Teacher