Learning intention:
Create a management plan for your school to improve the biodiversity of local habitats.
Instructions:
1. Explore!
Visit a range of local natural areas either in your school grounds, local parks or nearby bushland.
2. Survey!
Investigate the ecosystem health of these areas by surveying for species diversity and human impacts of the area. Use the following template to guide data collection -
Biodiversity survey - Sample only
| Animal Species |
Tally |
| Magpie |
|
| Possum |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Plant Species |
Tally |
| Scribbly Gum |
|
| Paperbark tree |
|
| |
|
| |
|
*If you are unsure about particular plant species, use plant types with a descriptor - e.g. tall trees, prickly shrubs, tall grasses, scented herbs, vines etc
Human impact survey
| Evidence of human activity |
Tally |
| Graffiti |
|
| Rubbish |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Take photos or draw field sketches of human impacted areas (including labels describing human interactions with the landscape).
3. Brainstorm!
In class, brainstorm some solutions to maintain or improve local biodiversity, targeting specific human impacts seen on your survey.
4. Plan!
As a class, devise a management plan your school could use to achieve this and present it to your principal.
5. Create!
In groups, create posters to post around the school grounds to educate your school community about biodiversity in urban areas.
