Latest News

How Schools Can Get Involved in Local Conservation Projects

When students roll up their sleeves to plant native trees, monitor local wildlife, or restore a wetland, something remarkable happens. They’re not just learning about the environment from textbooks; they’re becoming active participants in protecting it. And the benefits go far beyond environmental outcomes.

Conservation projects offer schools a powerful opportunity to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards while supporting students’ mental health, physical wellbeing, and character development. Here’s why getting your school involved in local conservation could be one of the most impactful decisions you make for your students this year.

Why Conservation Matters for Children’s Development

The connection between nature and childhood well-being is backed by compelling research. Studies show that children who spend time outdoors and engage with nature experience significant improvements across multiple areas of development.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Youth mental health is a growing concern, with 10-20% of children and adolescents worldwide experiencing mental health conditions. In Australia, approximately 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14.

However, nature-based activities offer a proven pathway to better mental health. Research demonstrates that access to green spaces is associated with improved mental well-being, better memory, enhanced self-discipline, and reduced symptoms of ADHD in children. Studies have found that time spent outdoors reduces stress, improves mood, and increases children’s ability to focus.

Physical Health Benefits

Outdoor conservation activities deliver significant physical benefits. Children who participate develop stronger gross motor skills, better cardiovascular health, and enhanced immune function through regular nature exposure.

According to Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines, children aged 5-18 need at least one hour of vigorous activity daily. Conservation projects provide an engaging way to meet these requirements while contributing to meaningful environmental outcomes.

Building Empathy, Compassion, and Curiosity

Perhaps most remarkably, conservation education shapes how children see themselves and the world. Recent research reveals that children who develop empathy with nature — the ability to understand and share the emotional experience of the natural world — demonstrate stronger pro-environmental attitudes.

When children learn to empathise with nature, they develop enhanced emotional intelligence, stronger problem-solving abilities, a greater sense of responsibility, and improved self-confidence. Early childhood is a particularly crucial period for developing these environmental attitudes, making school-based conservation programs especially valuable.

Real-World Ways Schools Can Get Involved

Ready to bring conservation into your school community? Here are practical, proven approaches that schools across Australia are using to make a difference.

Join Existing Conservation Programs

Conservation Volunteers Australia offers numerous opportunities for schools to participate in professionally led conservation projects. From planting days at Urban Shade Forests to wildlife monitoring events, these programs provide expert guidance, all necessary equipment, and educational resources to support your students’ learning.

Students can participate in activities such as:

• Native tree planting at local reserves and parks

• Wetland restoration projects

• Wildlife habitat creation

• Citizen science monitoring programs

• Beach and waterway clean-ups

Create On-Campus Conservation Projects

You don’t need to leave school grounds to make an impact. Consider establishing:

• School gardens: Growing native plants or vegetables teaches students about ecosystems, plant lifecycles, and sustainable food systems.
• Wildlife habitat zones: Creating areas for local birds, insects, and small animals transforms unused corners into thriving habitats.
• Worm farms and composting systems: These hands-on projects teach waste reduction while creating nutrient-rich soil for gardens.
• Weather or biodiversity monitoring stations: Students can collect real data and contribute to citizen science initiatives.

Safeguard the Eastern Barred Bandicoot

One particularly engaging way for schools to get involved is through CVA’s Eastern Barred Bandicoot conservation program. This critically endangered marsupial has made an incredible comeback from near-extinction, and schools can play a part in ensuring this success story continues.

Host a “Bandicoot Day” Fundraiser

Create a special event where students can:

• Dress up in bandicoot-themed costumes or wear brown and white (the bandicoot’s colors)
• Bring gold coin donations to “safeguard a bandicoot” (every $20 helps protect one bandicoot)
• Participate in bandicoot-themed activities, art projects, and games
• Learn about endangered species, biodiversity, and local conservation efforts

Launch a School-Wide Challenge

Frame your fundraising as a friendly competition: “How many bandicoots can your class protect?” Each class or year level can set a fundraising goal and track progress with classroom posters, thermometer charts, or digital tallies. This approach builds excitement while teaching students about collective impact.

Partner with Local Conservation Groups

Beyond CVA, many communities have local Landcare groups, bushcare networks, or environmental organisations looking for enthusiastic volunteers. These partnerships can provide:

• Access to local conservation sites
• Expert knowledge about local ecosystems
• Ongoing project opportunities throughout the year
• Connections with other community members who care about conservation

Start Small and Build Momentum

Not ready for a major project? Start with simple actions:

• Class adoption of a local park or reserve: Visit quarterly to pick up litter and observe changes
• Seed collection walks: Gather native seeds to grow in classrooms before planting them out
• Nature journaling: Regular outdoor observation sessions where students document local plants and animals
• Trash audit challenges: Analyse school waste and implement reduction strategies

The key is to begin somewhere. Every small action builds students’ connection with nature and demonstrates that individual efforts matter.

Making Conservation Projects Successful

To ensure your school conservation projects thrive, keep these tips in mind:

✔️ Make it age-appropriate: Younger students might focus on simple planting and observation, while older students can tackle data collection, project planning, or advocacy work.

✔️ Celebrate successes: Share photos, stories, and achievements with the school community. Recognition motivates continued participation and inspires others to get involved.

✔️ Build in reflection time: After conservation activities, give students time to discuss what they learned, how they felt, and why the work matters. This deepens the impact.

✔️ Involve families: Extend conservation projects beyond school by inviting families to weekend planting days or encouraging home habitat creation.

✔️ Think long-term: The most powerful conservation education happens when students can return to sites and witness the impact of their work over time.

The Ripple Effect

When schools embrace conservation, the benefits extend far beyond individual students. Children take their newfound knowledge and passion home, influencing family behaviours. They become advocates in their communities. They develop a lifelong connection to nature that shapes their choices as adults.

As educators and parents, we have a responsibility to provide children with experiences that foster not just academic knowledge, but also empathy, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Conservation projects deliver all of this while addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: caring for our planet.

Whether your school plants 50 trees at a local reserve, raises funds to protect endangered bandicoots, or simply creates a small native garden on campus, you’re making an investment in both your students’ futures and the health of our environment.

The next generation of environmental stewards is sitting in classrooms right now. Let’s give them the experiences, skills, and confidence they need to make a difference.

Ready to get your school involved in conservation? Visit conservationvolunteers.com.au to explore volunteer opportunities, download the CVA App to find events near you, or contact us to discuss bringing a conservation project to your school. Together, we can raise a generation of young Australians who care deeply about protecting our unique environment.