Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Environmental change and management excursion program

Environmental change and management title tile
decorative image
decorative image
quadrat in the field

Teacher checklist

Location

Blackman Park, Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West (Mowbray Park)

Google maps - Apple maps

This site has wheelchair accessibility.

Cammeraygal Country
Supply bus driver with Blackman Park bus information
Blackman Park risk management plan

View the YouTube track overview video.

Blackman Park and surrounds
Please contact the centre for detailed information on locations, bus access and public transport options
Cost

2025 DoE $26 per student - GST free

2025 Non-gov school cost $36 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750

Schools are to confirm the number of students and classes at least 7 days prior to attending. Schools will be charged based on the number of students confirmed or number of students who attend on the day (whichever is greater). 
Welfare

Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain.

Limited wheelchair accessibility. Email to confirm with location.

This excursion may not be suitable for people who have been recently unwell.
Bring

Clipboard, worksheets, medications, low-waste food, plenty of water, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a small backpack. Sports uniform recommended.

There are no shops.
Watch

Preparing for an excursion.
Bin access

All student waste to be taken home by students.
Medical or special needs

Notify Field of Mars staff prior to excursion. 

Students, staff and visitors must not attend if unwell, even with mild symptoms. 
Extreme or wet weather

Days predicted to be above 35ºC, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. 
Cancellations

Cancellations with less than 30 working school days notice will incur a $600 administration fee. 

Cancellations with less than 7 working school days notice will incur the full cost for the program based on the original booking. 

Cancellations due to weather or fire danger are exempt from fees. 

Suggested timetable

 
The suggested timetables are suitable for up to ten classses. 

Time 

Activities 

9.30 - 10.00

Introduction at Blackman Park Sports Amenities

Toilets and equipment distributed

10.00 - 11.00

Inquiry 1

11.00 - 11.20

Recess

11.20 - 12.20

Inquiry 2

12.20 - 1.20

Inquiry 3

1.20 - 1.50

Lunch

1.50 - 2.00

Conclusions and depart

decorative image
decorative image

Learning activities

With a focus on fieldwork inquiry and tools students will investigate, measure and record data to further their understanding of environmental change and management. 

Students will commence the day acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land and observe historical change that has transformed the Lane Cove River into what we see today. Students will investigate three consequences of environmental change

  • Water contamination - students investigate biophysical processes through hands-on experimentation and conduct water sampling in the freshwater creek that flows past Blackman Park on its way to the Lane Cove River. 
  • Biodiversity decline - students will walk through remnant eucalypt forests to conduct a habitat survey, observe conservation strategies in place and conduct a belt transect to sample introduced species (weeds).
  • Climate change resulting in increased air temperatures - students use equipment to measure and record microclimate data and conduct a heat survey of park visitors.

Traditional and contemporary management will be observed and discussed.

This program will enhance student personal capabilities, ethical understanding and workplace skills.

Decorative image

Syllabus outcomes and content

NSW Geography K–10 Syllabus (2015)

Outcomes

  • explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE5‑2 
  • analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5‑3 
  • assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE5‑5 
  • acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE5‑7 

Content

Environmental change

Students:

  • investigate human-induced environmental changes across a range of scales 

Environmental management

Students:

  • investigate environmental management, including different worldviews and the management approaches of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Investigative study

This fieldwork investigation can be used for the investigative study.

Select ONE type of environment in Australia as the context for a comparative study with at least ONE other country.

Students:

  • investigate the biophysical processes essential to the functioning of the selected environment
  • investigate the causes, extent and consequences of the environmental change  (ACHGK073)
  • investigate the management of the environmental change (ACHGK074, ACHGK075)
 
Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

Syllabus outcomes and content

NSW Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Outcomes

  • explains how the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments change over time GE5-DFC-01
  • analyses the processes and interactions that transform people, places and environments GE5-PRI-01
  • assesses different approaches to the management and protection of places and environments GE5-MAN-01
  • applies and evaluates a range of geographical tools to acquire and process geographical information GE5-TAP-01

Content

Environmental change

  • The role and importance of Earth’s environments
  • Biophysical processes that change Earth’s environments
  • Human-induced environmental changes over time across a range of scales
  • Consequences of environmental change

Environmental change

  • Management strategies to reduce the impacts of environmental change, including prevention, mitigation and preparedness strategies
  • Methods used to assess sustainability when managing environmental change

 

Geography 7–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Return to program summary

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

General enquiries

CallGet directionsMail

Follow us

We’d like to acknowledge the Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we stand and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Copyright for this website is owned by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Education. For more information go to http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright.