Make the case

Biodiversity

• View the YouTube video What is biodiversity?
• Read definitions and explanations of 'biodiversity' by the Australian Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.
• View the TEDEd video Why is biodiversity so important?. Work through the activities on the page.

Ecosystems

• View the YouTube video What is an ecosystem?
• Explore natural ecosystems in the resource NSW ecosystems on show. What is the ecosystem type in your local area?
• Interact with the Wilderquest site to explore a variety of ecosystems.

Biodiverse areas

• Find examples of the plants, animals and environments in national parks in your local area. Visit a local natural area to investigate your local biodiversity.
• Use satellite imagery in Google maps to locate natural areas, wildlife corridors and other land uses in your local area. Can native species travel between natural areas? What land uses surround natural areas and what are the potential impacts?
• View the images of threatened species in NSW and read what the term 'threatened species' means.

Nature connection and conservation

• Read the goals and objectives of Australia's strategy for nature 2019-2030. Discuss actions that could be undertaken at school that align with the goals and objectives.
• Goal 1 – connect all Australians with nature. Discuss ways in which students can spend more time in nature within a school day.
• Goal 2 – care for nature in all its diversity. Consider actions that could be undertaken at school or in the local area.
• Goal 3 – share and build knowledge. Brainstorm ways to increase knowledge of nature within the school and local community.

Conduct a biodiversity audit

As a class, conduct a biodiversity audit to measure and assess the biodiversity at your school, a local park or local natural area.

• Investigate the history of the school grounds to understand past uses and inform future decisions.
• Map the physical features of your school grounds to obtain an overview of natural and human features.
• Use surveys and observations to understand the uses of the school grounds by people and animals.
• Interview the adults at your school, and students from other classes, to find out what they know about biodiversity in the school and surrounding areas.
• Use the Birds in Backyards bird identification charts to identify birds in your school and local area.

Assess habitats

• Conduct a habitat assessment of the school grounds by using a transect to measure plant diversity.
• Conduct a macroinvertebrate survey to measure invertebrate diversity. Use the Bugwise - do it yourself field study identification guides.
• Investigate the diversity and values of trees in your school or local park.
• Use the Gardening Australia's Backyard biodiversity fact sheet as a biodiversity assessment guide.

Report on your findings

• Analyse and compile the results of your investigations into a summary report.
• What did you find out about your school that you think needs to change? Record this in your learning journal.

Importance of biodiversity

• View the YouTube video What is biodiversity and why is it important?
• Read about the value of trees in Our urban forest.
• Learn about the value of habitat trees to biodiversity and the benefits of trees in cities.
• Find a habitat tree in your local area, draw it and label its benefits to biodiversity.
• Use the carbon calculator to measure carbon in a tree.

Benefits of nature

• Find out the benefits of nature by Discover the forest and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
• Create a mind map or infographic stating the health benefits of spending time in nature.
• Undertake the five steps to practising shinrin yoko (forest bathing). Reflect on how it made you feel.
• Spend ten minutes sitting still and silently in nature. What did you see, hear, smell and feel?

Biodiversity monitoring – citizen science

Online tools can help us understand where some species live and also enable us, as citizens, to contribute data for monitoring biodiversity.

View the YouTube video Hollows as homes (1:06min) and view the data on the Hollows for homes website.

Explore some of the other citizen science projects:

• Atlas of living Australia – maps locations where species live, as logged by citizens
• Bowerbird – share images, videos and sounds of sightings in nature
• BirdData – log bird sightings
• Koala tracker – to find koals locations and report sightings
• Frog ID app – identify frogs through their calls and contribute data that helps count frogs.

Global biodiversity

• Explore biodiversity further on the National Geographic's biodiversity resource library.
• Find out about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Read the progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life below water and Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on land.

Caring for nature

• What part do you play in helping biodiversity?
• Many community groups, including Landcare, are involved with caring for nature and biodiversity. Research local Landcare and bush regeneration.