Council’s Environmental Education Officer is no longer able to provide lesson-based incursions to schools and early childhood centres. Instead, a variety of programs tailored for students, schools/centres, teachers and families are available.
Please see the tabs on this page for more information.
Environmental Education programs are offered to engage children and students in environment and sustainability topics.
The programs aim to create stewardship of our natural environment and precious resources and actions that preserve our environment now and for future generations.
Program details can be found in the tabs below, or in the 2023 Enviroed program booklet (PDF, 12.9 MB).
Contact us
Email: enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3810 6666
New in 2023
Council's environmental education program evolves in response to school and strategic needs.
- After a successful trial of teacher Professional Development council has expanded it to a monthly program. See the 'For Teachers' tab for more information.
- An Experience Nature Day will be held in June 2023 at Hardings Paddock. This outdoor learning experience will include a focus on First Nations and environment topics. See the 'For Students' tab for more information.
- Schools can enquire about a FOGO (food organics, garden organics) bin service and divert food and garden waste from landfill. See the 'For Schools' tab for more information.
- Council is now listing all free events on a dedicated Eventbrite page, including Kids Go Wild school holiday program. See the 'For Families tab' for more information.
For students
Experience Nature Day
The stunning Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate will be the backdrop to this outdoor education day focused on inspiring our young people to experience and care for our natural surrounds.
The day will help students understand not only the ‘why’ but also the ‘how’ we can all take care of the environment.
Highlights:
- First Nations cultural knowledge sharing
- Water monitoring activities
- Plantings and understanding habitats
- Learning about local flora and fauna
- Having fun outdoors – including a ‘camping’ experience!
When: June 2023
Where: Hardings Paddock, Carmichael’s Road, Purga
How to register: The event will be listed on Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Youth Sustainability Summit
This annual event aims to spark sustainability projects at home and school for Ipswich primary school students, particularly Grades 4-6.
The event will focus on celebrating our achievements, interrogating our challenges, and finding leadership opportunities as change makers in the environmental space.
Where: Ipswich Civic Centre
When: October 2023
How to register: The event will be listed on Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Queens Park
This popular destination offers a variety of environment-related features and activities.
Schools and other large groups are requested to book their visit a month in advance by emailing enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
A recommended program for exploring the park will be provided, depending on your group size. Please note that groups over 80 students are recommended to split their visit over two days.
Ipswich Nature Centre
With more than 42 species - including dingoes, wallabies, bilbies and more – the Ipswich Nature Centre is a wonderful opportunity to get up close with native wildlife.
Open: 9.30am – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday
Cost: Free (gold coin donation appreciated)
If schools are interested in a guided experience of the centre, an Animal Encounters program can be booked through Discover Ipswich. See Discoveripswich.com.au or call 3281 0555.
Environmental Education Centre
At the centre school groups will experience a short presentation by a council officer, followed by time to explore the play-based learning experiences at the centre.
If classes are interested in specific focus areas, tailored programs can be arranged.
Open: School group visits are available 9.30am - 2.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday by contacting enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Cost: Free
Nature excursion
It’s easy to be inspired when you are learning in an outdoor classroom.
Council’s Enviroplan-funded conservation areas provide various options for school groups.
Organise a guided school excursion
Council offers bookable tours for schools and early learning centres, with a number of age-appropriate locations available.
Contact council’s Conservation Visitor Management Officer on 3810 6666 or email experiencenature@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Enviroplan conservation areas
These areas are recommended for school groups. Note that access is limited for large buses.
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
This newly refurbished area features short bushwalks and a nature-themed playground. It is a great option for younger children or those new to outdoor bushwalks.
Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
The Hardings Paddock day use area has a range of features suitable for school groups including bushwalking, camping and facilities for cultural programs such as Kupmurri pit, yarning circles and cultural resource garden.
The Hardings Paddock Community Hut can be booked and is suitable for groups up to 30 people. This self-contained facility has solar power, kitchen, disability access toilet, tables and chairs. Contact council on 3810 6666 for booking details.
White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate
This estate has a variety of bushwalking trails suitable for different ages and abilities. It includes cultural landscape features such as White Rock.
For teachers
Professional Development
Sessions will occur roughly once a month during the school calendar.
They will be held at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, or at outside/onsite locations if the topic warrants.
Potential topics for the 2023 program include:
- Creating an environmental action plan
- Habitats at school including worms, native bees, frog hotels and planting
- Creating your own bush tucker garden
- Ways to decrease waste at school, including FOGO bins services
- How to monitor your local water ways
- Teaching about erosion and waterways
To keep an eye out for these events please ‘Follow’ Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
For schools
Free plants
Ipswich schools and centres are eligible for 100 free plants each year through the Free Plant Program.
An application form is available at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/freeplants
If you are interested in bush tucker (cultural resource) plants contact enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au for a recommended plant list.
Landholder conservation partnerships
Schools with a big interest in environment conservation may be interested in joining the Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program.
The Enviroplan-funded program assists with managing, enhancing and protecting ecosystems.
The free program offers a range of support and assistance to members.
For information on program options and eligibility criteria, see the Landholder Conservation Partnerships page.
Enviroplan Levy Community Funding
Schools/childcares may apply for up to $2000 each application for projects that:
- increase community understanding of the value of the natural environment and local environmental issues and impacts
- increase community action that benefits the natural environment
- improve the condition of bushland or the conservation of native flora and fauna on private or public land.
Find more information on the Funding and Support page.
Grant Writing Workshops
If you would like some assistance in completing a grant application, council offers grant writing workshops throughout the year. Email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au for more information.
FOGO (Food organics and Garden organics)
Ipswich Waste Services have a range of products and services designed to help your school divert waste from landfill, including recycling and Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins.
FOGO bins are a new service for schools and can help you manage food scraps and garden waste. They can also help you manage items that can be harder to compost, such as dairy and meat waste.
If you choose to install FOGO bins, an environmental education officer can visit and support your students and school staff learn how to sort waste into the correct bins.
To find out if you are eligible for a FOGO bin service (your school site needs to meet access/logistics requirements) please contact Ipswich Waste Services.
Phone: 3810 8100
Email: Ipswichwasteservices@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Get Ready pop ups
Help your school, students and families be prepared for severe weather.
Ipswich City Council Emergency Management would love to attend your school events, showcase our Get Ready pop-up house, and test your disaster preparedness.
Email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au to register your school or group's interest today, as spaces are limited.
Information and resources are also available to help your school Get Ready at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/emergency.
For families
Environment events
You will find a range of events and educational activities for all ages that highlight our conservation and sustainability efforts across the city.
This includes community education, citizen science, volunteering and habitat planting days.
Kids Go Wild is another environment event for families.
The school holiday program is filled with a range of fun activities that encourage kids to get involved in our local environment and learn about ways to become more sustainable.
Events are added throughout the year.
Go to Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Click ‘Follow’ to receive notifications when events are added.