This project aimed to develop local environmental and cultural educational content that can be delivered effectively to both primary and secondary schools. It is great that schools are becoming more focused on sustainability, cultural connections, and environmental studies, but there seems to be a lack of local information. Local knowledge and examples would create a strong sense of connection and responsibility in students. When students can see something in their own ‘backyard’ it is easier to engage, relate, understand, and retain the information.

The North Stirling Pallinup sub-region encompasses a unique part of Western Australia. The region is nestled at the foot of the biodiversity hotspot that is the Stirling Range National Park, and comprises a maze of salty creeks and rivers, including the Pallinup River which is one of the largest river systems on the south coast. A rich cultural connection to the region is evident with the local Goreng peoples, their stories and sacred sites, and their connection to the environment.

This vital environmental and cultural content is not readily available to teachers, with this project posing an exciting opportunity to capture this information from local ecologists, environment professionals, and the Goreng peoples. The education packages will be delivered in an easy-to-use online format and will also be linked to the school curriculum making it simpler for teachers to implement in the classroom. This project empowered the next generation and inspired them to maintain and protect our local culture and environment.

Three key topics were developed into education packages that are hosted on the NSPNR Website:
1. Goreng Connection to Country
2. Our salty Rivers – processes and biodiversity
3. The Stirling Range National Park

January 2023 - September 2024

This project was supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.