Suitable for Years 7-10 

Have a small group or single class? This program caters for small groups wanting a taste of the Forest Discovery Day. Choose your own modules to tailor your day for small groups or classes. From uncovering biodiversity and protecting threatened species to understanding the role of fire in our landscapes, these hands-on programs immerse students in real-world environmental science. Through hands on activities and fieldwork, students explore ecosystems, conservation strategies, and sustainable management practices—all aligned with Biology and Geography curricula.  Every class should have the opportunity to create their own adventure for the day, now you can with our Choose-Your-Forest-Adventure program.  

Please read through all the below options carefully as you will be asked to select your core activity and optional activities on your booking request form.

Core activities (choose ONE of either) (1hr 40min):

1) Biodiversity Observations – What’s in Our Forests?
Students explore forest ecosystems by observing and recording the diversity of plants and other organisms at multiple sites. They classify their findings based on shared characteristics and use identification keys to accurately identify species, developing skills in ecological survey techniques and taxonomy.

2) Protecting Our Threatened Fauna – Western Shield
Students investigate Western Shield, Parks and Wildlife’s conservation program aimed at protecting native fauna from introduced predators. They learn how wildlife populations are monitored and examine strategies used to reduce threats, linking to concepts of biodiversity, ecological balance, and human impact.

3) Fire in the Landscape
Students study the role of fire in Western Australian ecosystems, including its historical significance, forest recovery processes, and impacts on native fauna. They explore how fire is used as a management tool to maintain ecosystem health and reduce bushfire risk, connecting to sustainability and land management practices.

THEN Choose TWO of the following options (50min each):

1) Animal encounter (mammals, reptiles or raptors)* (EP) - Get up close to some of our unique native animals and learn about their special adaptations to the Australian environment.

2) Habitat assessment - Does the jarrah forest have the resources necessary to support a reintroduced population of a threatened species? Students explore the forest as habitat by looking into food webs, shelter requirements and their vulnerability to predators, to decide which threatened species should be re-introduced to this area.

3) Forest walk - Enjoy a guided walk through the forest, focusing on key plant species, signs of animal activity and relationships between forest inhabitants.

4) Plant adaptations - On a forest walk students will discover the range of strategies plants utilize to survive in our harsh environment. 

5) Catchment Model - Learn about catchment land uses with our three-dimensional, hands-on, interactive catchment model. Discover how pollutants get into our rivers and the impacts these have on the plants and animals that call the river home. 

6) Fire site assessment - Collect and compare data on two different field sites to observe how the forest can respond to fire.

7) Fire truck and Personal Protective Equipment ** - Students take a closer look at some of the firefighting equipment used by Parks and Wildlife fire fighters, including getting a closer look at a Fire Truck! Learn about what personal protective gear they wear and how it keeps them safe. 

8) Animal evidence - When in the forest, you won’t always see animals, but they leave their “evidence” behind. Using keys students will
unlock evidence to determine a range of forest dwellers. 

*Note that an animal encounter comes at additional cost to engage external providers

**subject to availability in fire seasons.  

Venues: 

• Perth Hills Discovery Centre, Mundaring 

• Forest Discovery Centre, Dwellingup (depending on availability)  

Duration: 4 hours. Excursion runs from 10am to 2pm including morning tea and lunch times.  Groups arrive at 10 am then have 15-20 minutes for morning tea, activities commence after morning tea. Finish times can be adjusted to your needs.

COST: $510 per 30 students (inc GST), (no animal encounter) 

            $890 per 30 students (inc GST) (with animal encounter) 

Please note:

1. Maximum students per group is 30. Multiple groups can be accommodated.
2. Our booking officer will get back to you via email to confirm your excursion within 7 working days.
   

Click here for more information on planning your visit:

If you have any questions regarding this activity, please email us at n2n@dbca.wa.gov.au. You need to submit and online enquiry form for any program, no bookings will be taken via email or phone.