This additional information is to help you continue your Environment SIA if you have been on the Rockpool program. The SIA aims to help Scouts gain a deeper understanding of a coastal ecosystem by observing the living and non-living things on the rock platform. Scouts may also want to learn to identify marine organisms and research their adaptations and characteristics that help them to survive in this dynamic environment. The SIA can be further developed to the Scout’s own interests.

The SIA planning tool can be downloaded below.

This additional information is to help you continue your Environment SIA if you have been on the Fossil program. The SIA aims to help Scouts identify fossils, learn how they formed and where to find them. Scouts may also want to research more into what the prehistoric environment looked like when these organisms were alive. The SIA can be further developed to the Scout’s own interests.

The SIA planning tool can be downloaded below.

The Online Environment Course is being offered at different times throughout the year. Scouts investigate their local creeks for pollution to understand the impact of an urban catchment on the surrounding environment. The course involves two, one hour, online sessions and independent fieldwork of simple water testing for pH. Scouts can choose to extend their project to qualify for a Special Interest Area – Environment Project Badge, once they present their findings to their Unit.

Additional information to support the course can be found by clicking the buttons below.

Taking part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is easy! Just spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and tell us about the birds you see during that period. You can submit your results using the app or the web form. Every count helps. Click the button below for the website.

Here’s a great new activity for Joeys and Cubs!

Bush Blitz is launching a nature challenge that encourages young people involved with the Scout and Girl Guide movements to record the plants and animals in their local area. Scouts and Guides who complete at least one of the three Bush Blitz challenges, will earn the badge for addition to their camp blanket.

Get involved in Citizen Science and become a Hoot Detective to help create the ‘Owl-gorithm’ for detecting different species of owls in our environment. Click the button below to get started.

For more information on Powerful Owls listen to these podcasts.

Why not design you own Special Interest Area Environment Project around Powerful Owls or other wildlife in you area? Go out and make observations, collect data and present a report to your Unit.

Download the FrogID app, get outside to your local pond or creek and start recording the frogs! Frogs are an important indicator species for creek health and the more data that is recorded to identify frog species in an area, the better.

Websites

Australian Museum Animal Factsheets

Australian Museum Frog ID

Australian Museum Learning Resources

Backyard Soil Testing – VegeSafe

Birds in Backyards

Gibberagong Environmental Education videos

Greater Sydney Landcare and Streamwatch

NSW Environment

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

OceanWatch Australia

Rockpool Creatures identification (can be used for Sydney area)

Sydney Olympic Park

Sydney Water

Waterwatch animal identification charts

SNR Local Councils

City of Ryde – Environment and Waste

Hornsby Council – Environment

Ku-Ring-Gai Council – Environment

Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden

Lane Cove Council – Environment

Mosman Council – Environment

Northern Beaches Council – Environment

Northern Beaches – Coastal Environment Centre

North Sydney Council – Environmental Protection

Willoughby City Council – Environment