Nature Stewards is back!

Do you want to discover the world around you, connect with nature and support your local environment?

The City of Ballarat is partnering with the Victorian National Parks Association to facilitate the second 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, City of Ballarat Sustainable Environment officers, CSIRO staff, volunteers and industry representatives. 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 Belinda Coates said after strong interest in last year’s successful program, it is fantastic to offer another program to the community this spring.

“The Nature Stewards program is a great stepping-stone for those community members who want to connect with and care for the 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 learn more about their local environment, ways to support nature and explore environmental volunteering opportunities.

The program features 10 weekly 3-hour class sessions plus up to five 4-hour field trips after some of the classes.

Sessions will be held at the Lucas Community Hub on Saturday mornings from 2 September to 18 November, excluding the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup long weekends, between 9.30am–12.30pm, with additional field trips held on Saturdays from 1.30-4.30pm.  

Places are limited to 25 via online application.  

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 20 August. For more information and to apply visit vnpa/org/au/naturestewards