Category: Environmental Education

I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to share some incredible news that the Australian Environmental Education website officially reached a major milestone: 1 million unique visitors and over 2.5 million page views!

When I launched this site on Threatened Species Day back in 2019, it was born out of a simple question: “What can I do to make a difference?” My answer was to share my passion for the natural world and make science accessible, hands-on and fun for everyone.

To see that over a million people have now turned to this platform to learn about everything from the deep sea to the “hidden” biodiversity in their own backyards is beyond anything I imagined.

A Journey of Discovery

From the early days of writing about the Geologic Timescale and Noises in the Night, to more recent deep dives into Citizen Science and the Marine Environments I love so much, the goal has always been the same: to increase scientific literacy and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

Whether you are a teacher looking for curriculum-linked resources, a parent searching for a school holiday activity, or a curious explorer, you are the reason this site exists.

What We’ve Achieved

It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the impact. Since I started, the website has grown to include:

• 200+ Educational Webpages: Covering everything from the water cycle to invertebrate life cycles.
• 120+ Blog Posts: Exploring the “why” and “how” of our natural world.
• Virtual Excursions & Incursions: Reaching students across Australia (and the world!) to bring the bush and the sea into the classroom.
• Citizen Science Integration: Helping thousands of you contribute to vital research through projects like FrogID and local biodiversity surveys.

Looking Ahead: From Learning to Doing

As I look toward the rest of 2026, my focus is shifting from simply “learning” about nature to “doing” more for it. My 2026 Vision is to see every backyard, schoolyard and balcony become a sanctuary for our native species.

I will continue to roll out more hands-on science activities, expand our “Science Made Easy” programs, and highlight the “underdogs” of the Australian bush—the pollinators, the fungi, and the fascinating invertebrates that keep our ecosystems thriving.

“When we understand the tiny things, we learn to respect the whole system.”

Thank You

To every teacher and parent who has shared a link in their classroom, every student who has watched a “What’s in your Backyard” video and every person who has sent me a message about a cool bug they found—thank you. You are proof that curiosity is the first step toward conservation. Let’s keep exploring, keep asking questions and keep making a difference for Australia’s unique natural heritage.

Check out the 10 most popular pages on the website.

Want to help us reach the next milestone? Share your favourite article with a friend or start a Citizen Science project in your backyard today!

Dive into the world of nature and science as we explore the Top 10 most popular resources from the Australian Environmental Education website. Since its launch in 2019, this hub has become a cornerstone for teachers, parents and curious minds looking to understand the intricate systems that sustain our planet.

Here is a summary of the top 10 pages that are help us all to see the world around us.

1. Noises in the Night

Ever heard a screech in the dark and wondered what is was? This guide decodes the Australian night, helping you identify nocturnal neighbors like Owls or the rhythmic clicking of a frog.

2. The Geologic Timescale

To understand the Earth, you have to think big, millions of years big. This resource breaks down the planet’s history into eras and periods, mapping out when dinosaurs arrived and when Australia’s famous contenient appeared.

3. What is the Biosphere?

The biosphere is the thin “layer of life” wrapped around our planet. This page explains how the air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere), and land (lithosphere) work together to keep us alive.

4. What is the Scientific Method?

Science isn’t just about knowing things; it’s about finding out. This page provides a clear roadmap for any experiment; from forming a hypothesis to drawing a final conclusion.

5. The Deep Sea

The “Abyssal Zone” is Earth’s final frontier. This summary explores the strange animals that live under crushing pressure and in total darkness, highlighting why we must protect our oceans.

6. The Solar System

Looking up is just as important as looking down! This guide covers our cosmic neighborhood, from the rocky inner planets to the gas giants. It explores how Earth’s specific position in the “Goldilocks Zone” allows life to flourish while our neighbours remain barren.

7. Why is Water Important?

In the driest inhabited continent on Earth, water is everything. This page explores why water is essential for every living cell and how it regulates the temperature of our entire planet.

8. The Natural Water Cycle

Did you know you’re drinking the same water the dinosaurs did? This resource explains the “closed system” of evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation that keeps our water moving in a never-ending loop.

9. Life Cycles

From a caterpillar’s transformation to metamorphosis of a frog, this page explores the diverse ways life begins, grows, and reproduces. It’s an essential resource for primary school students learning about the continuity of life and the different strategies animals use to survive.

10. Understanding the pH Scale

Chemistry is at the heart of the environment. This resource explains the pH scale—the measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. From the acidity of our oceans to the pH of the soil in your garden, this scale helps us monitor the health of our ecosystems.

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Why These Topics?

These 10 pages alone have been viewed 615,000 times. The popularity of these pages shows that we are more curious than ever about how our world works. By understanding nature and science we become better equipped to protect the environment for the future.

Which of these is your favourite? Dive deeper into the full articles over at the Australian Environmental Education website

As I look ahead into 2026, I feel a sense of renewed energy for the future of Environmental Education in Australia. I’ve been thinking a lot about where we are headed. We are moving past the era of just talking about the environment and we are entering an era of deep, hands-on connection.

Here are my personal hopes for what we can achieve together in 2026:

Making Citizen Science a daily habit

In 2026, I want to see Citizen Science become as common as checking the weather. I’m hoping to see more people using tools like FrogID and iNaturalist not just once a year, but every time we step outside.

My Vision: I imagine thousands of classrooms contributing real-time data to national research. There is something incredibly empowering about knowing that a photo you took of a beetle in your playground is helping scientists understand Australia’s changing biodiversity.

Exploring my local habitats; from soil to the sea

I want us to get our hands dirty and our feet wet. Australia is a megadiverse continent and so much of that magic is right under our noses.

My Vision: Whether I’m leading a coastal walk or exploring the leaf litter in a local park, I want 2026 to be the year we all reconnect with our immediate surroundings. I’m committed to highlighting the importance of the connection between land and sea. What I do in my own backyard can impact the health of our waterways and marine environments.

Celebrating Our “Hidden” Biodiversity

I love Koalas and Kangaroos as much as anyone, but I have a massive soft spot for the “underdogs” of the Australian bush.

My Vision: I’m aiming to shift the spotlight onto our fascinating invertebrates, fungi and unique marine life. In 2026, I hope to educate more people about the pollinators and decomposers that keep our ecosystems thriving. When we understand the tiny things, we learn to respect the whole system.

Turning my spaces into wildlife sanctuaries

I’ve always believed that you don’t need a massive bushland block to save a species. My hope for 2026 is that we stop seeing our gardens and schoolyards as “lawns” and start seeing them as vital wildlife corridors.

My Vision: I want to see a Frog Hotel or an Insect Resort in every backyard. By creating these small pockets of habitat, I know we can provide a lifeline for the native bees, lizards, and birds that call our local areas home.

Moving from “Learning” to “Doing”

The most important shift I’m pushing for is moving from passive learning to active stewardship.

My Vision: I want every one of my lessons and blog posts to spark a “What can I do?” moment. Whether it’s joining a local Coastcare or Bushcare group or simply choosing to plant one native shrub, I want every Australian to feel like a capable protector of our unique natural heritage.

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Are you ready to join me in making 2026 a year of action? I’ve put together heaps of hands-on science activities and citizen science guides to help get you started. Just look under the Activities tab. There are also lots of free learning resources under the Education Resources tab.

This month marks a very special milestone, it’s 7 years since I started Australian Environmental Education. What started as a small idea to share my love of nature and create meaningful learning opportunities has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of.

Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with schools, community groups, and families all across Australia. From backyard biodiversity to coastal habitats, from frogs and insects to oysters and bees, we’ve explored the wonders of the natural world together. Each program, excursion, and resource has been driven by a simple goal: to inspire curiosity, connection, and care for our environment.

Some highlights along the way have included:

• Bringing virtual excursions to classrooms across the country, making environmental learning accessible no matter where students live.
• Developing hands-on programs like Fabulous Frogs and Noises in the Night, encouraging everyone to look closely at the wildlife around them.
• Sharing stories about our incredible ecosystems through blogs, talks, and workshops that invite everyone to see themselves as part of nature.
• Partnering with amazing organisations and communities who share a passion for protecting and restoring our environment.

I’m also grateful for the growing community of teachers, students, parents, and citizen scientists who engage with Australian Environmental Education. Your enthusiasm and curiosity remind me why this work matters. Every conversation, every question from a curious mind, and every shared success story fuels the next step forward.

As I celebrate this 7 year milestone, I’m excited about what’s to come. There are so many more stories to tell, habitats to explore, and opportunities to empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve joined a program, read a blog, or shared a passion for nature, you’ve helped make Australian Environmental Education what it is today. Here’s to the next seven years of learning, discovery, and connection with the amazing natural world around us.

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