Become a Nature Steward this spring

Do you want to connect with nature, support your local environment and meet others in your community? 

The City of Ballarat is partnering with Outdoors Victoria to facilitate the first intake for the Nature Stewards program. 

The 10-week program is an introductory environmental education program for adults. The program is designed to enable everyday people to discover more about their local environment, connect with others in the community, and learn how to support nature at home and through local volunteering. 

Participants will learn about the local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places with sessions on topics such as rocks and soils, fungi, plants and animals, climate change and seasons as well as ways to look after nature and help it thrive. 

Meet and learn from passionate environmental experts, including Traditional Owners, industry and tertiary sector experts, participate in class and field sessions in a friendly group setting, and explore new interests and career opportunities in the environmental sector. 

City of Ballarat Councillor Ben Taylor said the Nature Stewards program is a great stepping-stone for those community members who want to learn more about the local environment. 

“Ballarat is home to an incredibly diverse natural environment and we are fortunate to have many local volunteer groups doing fantastic work in this area,” he said. 

“Nature Stewards is designed to equip residents with the knowledge and connections to join and get involved in these grassroot conservation groups, which support our local environment.” 

The program is open to anyone aged 18 years or over and is best suited to people with little or no formal environmental education, who want to explore environmental volunteering opportunities.  

The program features 10 x weekly 3-hour class sessions plus four or five 4-hour field trips after some of the classes (dates TBC). 

Sessions will be held at the Lucas Community Hub on Saturday mornings from 1 October to 10 December, excluding the Melbourne Cup long weekend, generally between 9.30am–12.30pm, with additional field trips held on Saturday afternoons. 

Places are limited and bookings are essential. Cost: City of Ballarat residents $90, non-City of Ballarat residents $350 or $90 concession for full time students, healthcare card or pension card holders.  

Applications close Sunday September 18. For more information and to apply visit www.naturestewards.org.au.