Brewongle Environmental Education Centre

Explore, Experience, Discover

Telephone02 4579 1136

Emailbrewongle-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Geography - Environmental change & management

 

The aim of this geographical inquiry is to investigate the natural environment at Brewongle EEC, Sackville North and to discover how environmental change can be managed over different time scales. Designed to cater to large numbers, this engaging fieldwork based excursion has a focus on indigenous land use and current geographical fieldwork tools. 

 

Inquiry questions

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Outcomes:

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Content:

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Cross Curriculum Priorities:

  • Sustainability

Activity 1 - Fauna survey

Students use GPS units to locate nest boxes around the site, then use camera poles and screens to view inside the nest boxes.

 

Activity 2 - Vegetation survey

Students analyse the vegetation at Brewongle, assessing vegetation type and structure.

 

Activity 3 - Change since settlement

Students will go on a guided bushwalk to photo points to compare the current site to historical images before conducting a Human Impacts Assessment at the site.

 

Activity 4 - Dharug landuse & management

Students listen to a local Aboriginal educator and learn about the ways local Aboriginal people used and managed the environment.

Time Group 1 & 2 Group 3 & 4 Group 5 & 6 Group 7 & 8
9:45

Welcome to Brewongle / Safety Briefing 

RECESS

10:05

Fauna survey

(Intro together on grass hill)

Vegetation  survey

(Ridgetop classroom)

Change since settlement

(Wisdom tree & walk)

Dharug landuse & management

(campfire)

11:00

Vegetation  survey

(Ridgetop classroom)

Change since settlement

(Wisdom tree & walk)

Dharug landuse & management

(campfire)

Fauna survey

(Intro together on grass hill)

11:50

Change since settlement

(Wisdom tree & walk)

Dharug landuse & management

(campfire)

Fauna survey

(Intro together on grass hill)

Vegetation  survey

(Ridgetop classroom)

12:40 LUNCH (in the field)
1:00

Dharug landuse & management

(campfire)

Fauna survey

(Intro together on grass hill)

Vegetation  survey

(Ridgetop classroom)

Change since settlement

(Wisdom tree & walk)

1:50 Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00 FAREWELL

Pre and post-excursion lessons are available in the student workbook (link below).

Before the excursion

Your task is:

  • to complete pre-visit activities in the student booklet that includes site research and designing your geographical inquiry
  • to complete field work to answer the inquiry questions:
    • How do environments function at Brewongle EEC?
    • What are the causes and consequences of environmental change at Brewongle EEC?
    • How can these changes be managed?

Use the Atlas of Living Australia to discover biodiversity at Brewongle EEC. The link should take you to the data for Sackville North.

Wildlife Corridors

 

The Study Site

The site is located at Sackville North on a ridge above the Hawkesbury River.  The natural vegetation of the area has been modified by farming practices, school buildings and rural residential properties.

The land was originally inhabited by the Dharug Aboriginal nation and was farmed and hunted using traditional methods for 30-50,000 years.  The Sackville – Windsor area was considered suitable for farming and was settled in 1810.  The vegetation was severely modified following settlement.  This was initially restricted to the flood plain immediately adjacent to the river.

Sackville North Public School was located on the site from 1878-1972. Brewongle Field Studies Centre was opened officially in 1979 after the site was used for camping in the interim. It is now called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and is a facility that hosts other schools on day and camp visits.

The site has been classified as having the vegetation community of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest and Shale Sandstone Transition Forest with dominant tree species including Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia).

Utilise the Google Map below to help you.

Maps end here
Maps end here

Environmental Management

We have worked hard to manage some major environmental problems over the last 10 years. Environmental weeds like Lantana, Morning Glory and Swiss Ivy had taken over our natural bushland, reducing habitat and biodiversity.

We had an issue with Bell Miner Associated Dieback due to this weed infestation.

Photo 1: Lantana is a vine and noxious weed it is choking the first few metres of forest structure in this photo below taken in 2012.

Photo 2: After years of bush regeneration work by students, contractors and our staff we have new teaching areas and healthy forest.

Photo 3: Bush regenerators and students removing lantana

Photo 4: Tree planting to improve biodiversity.

Recent and historical camera trap footage can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Location Brewongle EEC, Sackville North
Bus  details

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.

Cost

Refer to Brewongle's pricing page.

This program will incur an additional flat fee for an Aboriginal Educator to attend.

Class numbers and size

Up to 8 classes per day or 240 students.

Maximum 30 students per class

Start and finish times

Arrival time is 9:45am

Departure time is 2pm

* discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times

Risk Assessments Refer to Brewongle's risk management plans
Inclusive learning support

This program can be adapted for students with specific mobility requirements.

Please visit our inclusive education website for social stories and other excursion support materials.

Adverse weather

On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangments.

Please visit booking and cancellation policy to view our trigger points for cancellation.