Program overview
For millennia, Aboriginal people have used fire as a sustainable land management tool. Through the practice of cool, controlled burning, they have maintained the health of Country by promoting biodiversity, reducing fuel build-up, and supporting the natural regeneration of plants and animals. During this excursion, participants will learn how to safely make, transport, and apply cool fire techniques to care for the landscape in a sustainable way. When Country is not managed with good fire practices, vegetation can become overgrown, increasing the risk of intense and destructive wildfires that threaten ecosystems, cultural sites, and communities. Severe bushfires can cause significant damage to flora and fauna, disrupt important cultural areas, and alter the balance of ecosystems, sometimes requiring many years to recover.
Content
- Research how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have developed sustainable harvesting practices and Cultural protocols based on deep ecological understandings.
| 1 |
Fire making lesson Students will learn to make and transport fire traditionally with firesticks and understand traditional fire stick farming methods. |
| 2 |
Ecosystem knowledge and when to burn Students investigate the Brewongle bushland to ascertain when and how to burn Country. Using fuel moisture methods and Aboriginal knowledge of seasons, students will assess areas of forest using quadrats for burning suitability. Students will need to decide how and when to burn their allocated section of forest. |
| Activity social story coming soon! | |
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Sample of a 1 group program For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule |
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| 9:45 |
Welcome to Brewongle Safety briefing |
| 10:00 | RECESS |
| 10:15 | Fire making lesson |
| 11:45 | LUNCH |
| 12:15 | Ecosystem knowledge and when to burn |
| 1:45 | Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets |
| 2:00 | Farewell |
| Location | Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Sackville North |
| Transport |
Buses are booked by the visiting school. A map to the bus parking will be sent with the schools confirmation email. Please ensure you print the map and give to the bus driver the morning of the excursion. |
| Program costs | Program costs |
| Student numbers |
Maximum student numbers are 30 students per class - up to 6 classes per day No minimum student numbers (instead possible minimum costs) |
| Supporting teachers and staff | Minimum requirement is one teacher per attending class |
| Program start and finish times |
Brewongle arrival time is 9:45 am - departure time is 2 pm * discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times |
| Medical and welfare notifications |
Using the Brewongle medical and welfare form (sent with the confirmation email), inform Brewongle staff of any medical conditions or special requirements prior to the visit This program can be adapted for teachers and students with specific mobility requirements |
| Adverse weather |
Visit our visitor information page to view our weather trigger points for program changes On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements |
| Booking and cancellation policy requirements |
Brewongle booking and cancellation policy Student attendance numbers confirmed 7 days prior to visit Cancellation fees may apply |
| Inclusive learning support | Visit our inclusive education website for further excursion support materials |
Booking enquiries
Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer