Applications are now open for the City of Ballarat’s third Nature Stewards program offering community members rewarding new opportunities to care for nature.

The 10-week program, a partnership between the City of Ballarat and the Victorian National Parks Association, is an environmental education program for adults.  

The program is designed to enable everyday people to discover more about their local environment, connect with others in the community, and learn how to support nature at home and through local volunteering.  

Participants will learn about the local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places with sessions on topics such as rocks and soils, fungi, plants and animals, climate change and seasons as well as ways to look after nature and help it thrive.  

It’s a chance to meet and learn from passionate environmental experts, including Traditional Owners, City of Ballarat Sustainable Environment officers, volunteers and industry representatives.

It’s also a chance to participate in class and field sessions in a friendly group setting and explore new interests and career opportunities in the environmental sector.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said after strong interest in the last two years of programs, it is fantastic to offer a third Nature Steward program to the community.

“Nature Stewards will provide you with a greater understanding and practical skills you can use to take action to support our nature,” he said.

The program is open to anyone aged 18 years or over and is best suited to people with little or no formal environmental education, who want to learn more about their local environment, as well as ways to support nature and explore environmental volunteering opportunities.

The program features 10 weekly 3-hour class sessions plus up to five 4-hour field trips after some of the classes.

Sessions will be held at the Lucas Community Hub on Saturday mornings from 6 April to 15 June (excluding the King’s Birthday long weekend) between 9.30am–12.30pm, with additional field trips held on Saturdays from 1.30-4.30pm.  

The costs associated with participating are: City of Ballarat residents $90, non-City of Ballarat residents $350 or $90 concession for full time students, healthcare card or pension card holders. Places are limited to 25. Applications close Friday 22 March.

The Hepburn Shire Council is inviting local residents to participate in an upcoming Nature Stewards course.

Nature Stewards is a short educational course which aims to foster a connection with nature and provide ways to get active for the environment.  

In autumn 2024, the council will co-host the Nature Stewards program in partnership with the Mitchell and Macedon Ranges Shires and the Victorian National Parks Association.  

The ten-week program will allow people to discover more about their local environment, connect them with others in their community, and help them learn how to volunteer for nature as a citizen scientist, advocate for nature or a nature guide.  

More information about how to participate is currently available via the council’s website.