School Visits
TEACHERS INFORMATION
Cockburn Wetlands Education centre is a community-managed, not-for-profit organisation. It was established in 1993 to provide information to the community about wetlands and their management. The Centre is home to the Wetlands Conservation Society, Friends of the Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre and the 1st Bibra Lake Scout Group. The Centre offers a broad range of environmental education and training programs to schools, the community and wetland professionals.
The Wetlands Officer, Denise Crosbie, currently conducts the educational program on a part-time basis. Denise has a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and has been based at the Centre since 1996. She has delivered education programs to all age groups for the past 11 years. Denise has extensive knowledge of wetlands and their ecology. This knowledge is reinforced by her practical involvement in the restoration of surrounding wetland and bushland areas. HIsmelt funds the education program for schools.
About Bibra Lake
Bibra Lake and the surrounding bushland is a Conservation Category wetland located in the heart of the Beeliar Regional Park. The Regional Park consists of two parallel chains of wetlands lying parallel to the coast. 'Beeliar' was the name of the original Nyoongar inhabitants of the area and Bibra Lake is an important Aboriginal heritage site. The Bibra Lake wetland is a permanent water body and provides an important drought refuge for waterbirds when other wetlands dry out during the summer months.
Caring For Wetlands
Over 70% of wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain have been lost. Therefore, it is very important for us to conserve, restore and manage the wetland habitats that remain as they are home to a wide variety of plants and animals including birds, frogs and reptiles. Staff and volunteers have established wetland and bushland seed production areas for the sustainable supply of native seed. Volunteers collect local seed and grow plants in the Wetlands Centre nursery. The seedlings are planted in degraded areas within the park. Ongoing weed control and watering are necessary during the establishment phase. Volunteers conduct a variety of other landcare and environmental work on a daily basis.
The Wetlands Centre is reliant on sponsorships and donations for the ongoing management of these wetland and bushland areas. Tax-deductible donations are welcome and allow the centre to continue this vital work.
SCHOOL EXCURSIONS
About the Visit - What the students will see and do
Excursions usually run from 9.30am to 1.30pm. This includes an introductory talk at the centre and then a 1.3km, guided walk from the centre through the bushland to Bibra Lake. Students will learn about the different plants and animals that can be found in the various habitats along the way.
At the lake, students may have the opportunity to do bird watching and collect macro-invertebrates from the wetland, which will then be taken back to the centre to be viewed under stereoscopes and returned to the wetland at the completion of the activity.
Cost
Primary: $3 per student plus bus fareSecondary: $5 per student plus bus fare
Minimum charge: $50 per group
The bus must be arranged by the school. Please ensure the bus company allows you to postpone your excursion if the weather is wet and/or windy.
Please Note
Educational visits are available on Tuesdays and Fridays only, unless a special arrangement is made. One class maximises learning opportunities during the visit. However, larger numbers can be considered.
What to Wear and Bring
- Long pants and closed-in shoes
- Sunscreen, hat and a water bottle
- Raincoat (if the weather is uncertain)
- Gumboots or binoculars (optional)
- Change of clothes (in case students get wet or hot)
- Pencil and clipboard (if doing worksheets)
- Morning tea and lunch
Click here to download the information on school visits. (pdf format).
