Celebrate World Rivers Day with me for Riverfest at Parramatta Park. Riverfest is the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s annual event – celebrating the Parramatta River and surrounding creeks and environment!
I will be delivering FREE live virtual excursions on Monday 22 September.
Water and the Environment Trivia FREE live Virtual Excursion at 1pm on Monday 22 September
If you are in Sydney you can join me at RiverFest at Wistaria Gardens in Parramatta Park on Saturday 20 September.
A river is a natural watercourse flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of water.
National Science Week is the perfect time to immerse students, families, and curious minds of all ages in nature-based science adventures. I’ve got some ideas below to spark your curiosity!
Dive Into Virtual Excursions & Online Classes
Even if your students can’t head outdoors, they can still journey into compelling environments:
Science trivia: 1pm on Wednesday 13 August: Test your knowledge of the ologies – a subject of study. 1pm on Thursday 14 August: Test your knowledge on the Animal Kingdom.
My Journey Beneath the Waves: Explore Sydney’s rocky reefs, kelp forests, and sponge gardens through live virtual excursions. Perfect for discovering marine biodiversity and fragile coastal ecosystems.
What’s in Your Backyard: Turn your own backyard into a science lab. Investigate local wildlife by observing animal signs and traces—learn about the creatures that call your neighbourhood home.
Life on Earth: Travel back 4.6 billion years and explore Earth’s geological history through fossils and ancient Australian animals.
Hands-On Science: Experiments at Home or School
Ignite wonder with DIY experiments using everyday materials:
Eruption Volcano: Create a mini volcano using baking soda and vinegar to simulate eruptions—scientifically fun and visually exciting.
Strawberry DNA: Have science fun by extracting DNA from a strawberry. DNA is in the cells of every living thing and is found in structures cell called chromosomes. Discover these building blocks of life in your kitchen.
Check out these fun and educational science experiments. Create some amazing experiments using some simple household ingredients. Make sure you have an adult helping too.
Empower young learners by letting them contribute to meaningful science projects. Students can engage in wildlife monitoring and environmental data collection. Many projects are supported by the Bureau of Meteorology and local institutions—perfect for hands-on learning and scientific discovery.
CSIRO Wild Watch calls curious minds – young and young-at-heart – to connect with nature and form a nationwide team of citizen scientists. Young people, schools, community groups and families can head outdoors, observe local flora and fauna, and contribute valuable biodiversity data for Australian research.
Help track Australia’s biodiversity and add your observations to the iNaturalist app.
Frame your activities around key environmental themes and integrate discussion, reflection, and action:
Biodiversity & Habitats: Activities like “Create a Frog Hotel,” “Make an Insect Hotel,” or building a wildlife garden are both science-rich and creative. Australian Environmental Education
Water & Rivers: Celebrate World Rivers Day by exploring river ecosystems and discussing river conservation. Australian Environmental Education
Threatened Species Awareness: Commemorate Threatened Species Day (September 7) by learning about endangered Australian species and brainstorming ways to protect them— perhaps even creating wildlife-friendly backyards. Australian Environmental Education
Tips for Educators, Families, and Science Champions
Blend formats: Mix hands-on experiments, virtual experiences, and video storytelling for varied and inclusive learning.
Localise the science: Use backyard observations or citizen science tied to your region to make content personally relevant.
Extend into cross-curriculum links: These activities align beautifully with environmental studies, Earth science, literacy, and creative arts.
Share the excitement: Encourage students to present findings via posters, presentations, or online platforms like blogs or class socials.
National Science Week is a celebration of curiosity, discovery, and environmental stewardship. With these dynamic resources you can inspire a love of science, empower learners of all ages, and nurture the next generation of environmental explorers.
The NSW Oyster Reef Restoration and Research Project is learning more about the ecology of oyster reefs and restoring these unique marine habitats so they can do their job again – naturally. I have had the pleasure to work with the team to develop a series of education resources highlighting shellfish reefs and the restoration project.
Shellfish Reefs:
The three learning packages explore shellfish reefs across NSW, their ecological importance, and efforts to restore them. The learning packages not only include information a wealth of information focused on oyster reefs, but also provide opportunities to engage students with interactive learning experiences through excursions, fieldwork, hands-on activities, and extension tasks.
Some activities are designed to complement an excursion to the travelling ‘Bidhiinja – Restoring Our Oyster Reefs’ exhibition. Other excursion and fieldwork activities have been included if you live too far away from an exhibition location or are unable to visit.
Teacher professional development webinar
During the session teachers will learn about the new education resources the Forgotten Reefs that have been developed through this project for primary and high school students. The webinar will provide the following:
Background on the NSW Oyster Reef Restoration and Research Project
The Forgotten Reefs learning packages were funded by the NSW Government through the Marine Estate Management Strategy, which aims to deliver a healthy coast and sea, managed for the greatest wellbeing of the community, now and into the future.
Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste this July. Plastic Free July is important because it encourages people worldwide to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, contributing to cleaner streets, oceans, and communities. By participating, individuals can make simple changes that reduces plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment, wildlife and human health.
Australians are embracing sustainable living in their daily lives and want to transition to hosting a sustainable events. If you’re planning to throw a celebration that leaves a minimal environmental footprint, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll guide you through the steps to put on a sustainable party.
Become a Junior Riverkeeper these school holidays!
Get ready for 90 minutes of fun and adventure! You’ll follow animal clues, listen for mystery sounds, and discover how to protect the amazing creatures that live in our rivers. Go on a nature walk, explore different habitats, and learn how you can help protect our rivers through citizen science!
Perfect for school-aged kids who love the outdoors and care about the environment.
It’s been far to long between dives, so it was time to get back underwater. One of my favouirte spots is the Haven at Terrigal on the Central Coast of NSW. This sheltered bay offers a fantastic SCUBA diving experience, with an abundance of marine life that captivates both beginner and experienced divers alike.
After some heavy rain and wind during the week, it wasn’t surprising that the visability wasn’t very good. There was also a lot of surge that made the dive challenging. But sometimes you just need to get underwater.
Descending beneath the surface, we were greeted by a thriving underwater world where rocky reefs and sandy seabeds provide a home to a variety of fascinating creatures. One of the highlights is the inquisitive Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis. These charismatic fish, easily recognised by their striking blue colouration, and will follow you around. The males are a vibrant blue, while the females and juveniles are a reddish-brown colour. Blue Gropers play a vital role in maintaining the health of the rocky reef, feeding on sea urchins and other invertebrates.
Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis copyright: John Turnbull
Rays and Sharks of The Haven
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the sand at the Haven because there are alway so many rays. There were dozens of Common Stingrees hiding in the sand and we even spotted the uniquely patterned Fiddler Ray Trygonorrhina fasciata. Both these rays bury themselves in the sand, relying on their excellent camouflage to stay hidden from predators and nosey divers.
Common stingaree – Urolophus testaceusFiddler ray – Trygonorrhina fasciataImage copyright: John Turnbull
Diving along the rocky ledges and overhangs, we saw 2 huge Banded Wobbegongs Orectolobus halei hiding between the rocks. These well-camouflaged sharks blend perfectly with their surroundings, waiting patiently to ambush unsuspecting prey. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are generally docile and an incredible sight to witness in their natural habitat.
Image copyright: John Turnbull
These rays and sharks are generally peaceful creatures, but like all marine animals, they should be observed with respect and from a safe distance.
Schools of Fish in Motion
One of the most mesmerising sights underwater is the movement of fish in large schools. Even with the visability so poor, we saw the spectacle of Yellowtail Scad Trachurus novaezelandiae swimming in synchronised formations, creating dazzling displays of silver and gold. These fish move in unison, shifting and turning as one, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Yellowtail Scad Trachurus novaezelandiae copyright: John Turnbull
Protecting Our Marine Environment
The Haven is not just a fantastic dive site but also an important marine habitat that needs our protection. Divers can help preserve this incredible ecosystem from the growing threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. As divers and ocean lovers, we can help by practicing responsible diving including:
avoiding disturbing marine life
maintaining buoyancy to avoid disturbing the seabed
removing underwater rubbish, hooks and fishing line
supporting conservation efforts.
By appreciating and respecting the delicate balance of this underwater world, we can ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the wonders of SCUBA diving at The Haven. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, The Haven on the Central Coast is a must-visit destination for an unforgettable marine adventure.
Have you dived at The Haven? Share your experiences in the comments below!
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February every year. It is time for everyone to understand the importance of wetlands. This years theme is Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future. Wetlands are areas of land saturated or flooded with water permanently or seasonally. There are a variety of wetlands including:
Human-made wetlands: fish ponds, reservoirs, saltpans
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing essential services such as:
Water purification – Wetlands filter pollutants, improving water quality for both wildlife and humans.
Flood control – They absorb excess rainfall, reducing the impact of extreme weather events.
Biodiversity hotspots – Wetlands are home to countless species, from birds and fish to insects and amphibians.
Climate resilience – They store carbon, helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
Despite their importance, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests due to urban development, pollution, and climate change. By understanding and protecting these ecosystems, we can secure the future of our water resources and biodiversity.
In Australia there are 66 Ramsar sites wetlands of international importance covering about 8.3 million hectares. These sites include iconic wetlands such as Kakadu National Park, Roebuck Bay, Gippsland Lakes, Moreton Bay, Blue Lake, Macquarie Marshes and the Coorong.
The main threats to wetlands in Australia are:
river regulation and water diversion
land reclamation and development
catchment disturbance
introduction of weeds and pest animals
climate change
This World Wetlands Day, take action to support wetland conservation:
Visit a local wetland – Explore these unique habitats and learn about the species they support.
Participate in a clean-up – Join a community group to remove litter and improve wetland health.
Plant native vegetation – Help restore wetland areas by planting trees and aquatic plants.
Educate others – Share knowledge about the importance of wetlands in classrooms and online.
I’m based in the Central Coast in NSW and it is surrounded by a number of estuaries and coastal lagoons, from Lake Macquarie in the north to the Hawkesbury River in the south. Within the Central Coast it is estimated there are about 870 hectares of mangroves, 190 hectares of saltmarsh and 1,780 hectares of seagrass.
Join us in celebrating World Wetlands Day 2025 by taking steps to protect these vital ecosystems. For more information and resources, visit https://www.worldwetlandsday.org and follow us for upcoming events and activities!
Check the health of your local wetland with the Wetland Audit.
I went to Killare Beach on the Central Coast of NSW after the recent wild weather and saw a lot of Blue Bottles and Violet Snails along the hightide line. Violet Snail are sometimes found washed ashore, particularly during summer in Australia and around the world.
The Violet Snail Janthina janthina get their name from their striking violet or purple-colored shells, which provide them with a distinctive appearance. These snails inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans, where they spend their lives riding the ocean currents at the mercy of the winds.
Violet Snails float by producing a own mucus-covered bubble raft, and feeding on floating jellyfish and organisms like Blue BottlesPhysalia physalis. These jellyfish and Blue Bottles provide both food and protection, however Violet Snails must be careful when feeding to avoid being stung by their venomous tentacles.
Unlike most snails that crawl along the seafloor, violet snails have adapted to a open ocean lifestyle. They produce a bubble raft using mucus, which allows them to float on the water’s surface and travel vast distances.
Living a life adrift comes with many challenges. Violet snails are at the mercy of ocean currents and weather patterns, which can sometimes strand them on beaches far from their usual habitats. When they do wash ashore, their vibrant shells often attract beachcombers and curious observers like me.
The Role of Violet Snails in the Ecosystem
As both predators and prey, violet snails play an important role in marine ecosystems. They help control populations of their prey and, in turn, provide food for a variety of fish and seabirds. Their unique adaptations make them an excellent example of how marine life thrives in the vast, unpredictable ocean.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Violet Snail when beachcombing, take a moment to admire its delicate beauty and the intricate design of its shell. However, it’s best to observe and leave them in their natural habitat, as they are an important part of the marine food chain.
Learning about incredible creatures like the violet snail helps us appreciate the diversity and complexity of our oceans. Next time you’re at the beach, keep an eye out for these little floating marvels—you never know what wonders the next tide might bring!
At Australian Environmental Education, we love sharing the wonders of the natural world. Stay tuned for more fascinating insights into Australia’s diverse ecosystems and the amazing creatures that call them home!
I started making the Australian Environmental Education website in 2019 and I have really enjoyed creating all the content. I love to see the information being used by so many people across Australia and around the world.
I have now written 185 webpages and 100 blog posts for the Australian Environmental Education website. There have been almost 700,000 visitors viewing 2.1 million pages. Top 10 pages make up about a quarter of the page views over the last 5 years. You can check out the content below:
You can also check out the video content that I have made exploring my backyard and beyond on my YouTube channel.
It has been great to get messages from children, parents and teachers about how they are using the content. I will continue to make easy to use environmental content and I hope what fascinates me also fascinates you!
Christmas is a wonderful time of year filled with joy, generosity and celebration. These celebrations and gift giving also generate a lot of waste. By making conscious choices, we can enjoy the festivities while treading lightly on the planet. Here are some simple tips to help you celebrate a more sustainable Christmas.
Thoughtful Gifting
Gift-giving is a wonderful tradition, but it’s worth considering the environmental impact of our choices. Give the gift of an experience, such as a voucher for a workshop, tickets to a local event, or a membership to a museum. Craft your own gifts or support local artisans by purchasing handmade items. Choose gifts made from eco-friendly materials or from brands that prioritize sustainability. If you’re unsure what someone might like, consider giving them the gift of choice with a reusable gift card.
Wrapping Wisely
Traditional wrapping paper is often coated with plastic or glitter, making it non-recyclable. Instead, use scarves, tea towels or cloth wraps that can be reused. Try using recycled paper tied with natural string or reuse ribbons or reuse gift bags. Get creative with old make your own wrapping paper using old maps, newspapers, or children’s artwork. Add a sprig of greenery or seadpods for an extra festive touch!
Decorating Sustainably
Decking the halls doesn’t have to harm the environment. Consider these eco-friendly ideas, like using dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or fresh foliage and flowers to create stunning decorations. Switch to energy-efficient LED fairy lights to save on electricity. Craft decorations from recycled materials or involve the kids in making salt dough ornaments.
Eco-Friendly Feasting
Food is at the heart of many Christmas celebrations. Reduce waste and make your meals more sustainable by creating a list and stick to it to avoid overbuying. Support local farmers and choose seasonal produce. Set up a compost bin for food scraps and leftovers. If you’re hosting, consider serving smaller portions and encouraging guests to take leftovers home.
Rethinking the Tree
The Christmas tree is a cherished tradition, but it’s worth considering alternatives to the standard cut tree. You could choose a native Australian tree or shrub in a pot, which can be replanted after Christmas. Alternativly you could make a tree from recycled materials or branches. Some companies now offer live Christmas tree rentals, which are replanted after the holidays.
Spread the Message
Sustainability is about community. Share your eco-friendly ideas with family and friends, and inspire them to adopt more sustainable practices too. By working together, we can make Christmas a time of giving back to the planet as well as to each other.
This festive season, let’s focus on what truly matters: creating joyful memories, celebrating with loved ones, and being kind to the Earth. Wishing you a Merry and Sustainable Christmas!
