Open your mind to the many wonders nature has to offer.
‘Whiteman Woylie‘ environmental education programs
Whiteman Park’s environmental education programs offer students a unique opportunity to learn about the natural environment, conservation, groundwater, our native fauna, various ecosystems and much more through creative, interactive and engaging activities. Each program has been designed specifically for the intended age group and focuses on different aspects of the environment.
Our environment programs are delivered amongst Whiteman Park’s natural bushland by knowledgeable presenters and aim to provide students with a true environmental experience which would not be possible in a normal classroom setting.
In 2021, we launch all-new programs for Pre-Primary to Year 3 students, set in the Children's Forest and Woodland Reserve.
Who lives here?
Students will go on a search through the Children’s Forest, learning about the different Australian animals that live in the area. They will also get to meet some of Whiteman Park’s own education animals and learn about what is essential for their survival in the Australian bush.
In this program, your Pre-Primary students will:
✔ Identify some native Australian animals and what their needs for survival are.
✔ Understand the effect that seasonal changes have on our native animals.
✔ Demonstrate how the way different Australian animals move depends on their size and shape.
| Year level | Pre-Primary |
| Cost | $6.00 per child |
| Availability | Tuesday to Friday |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| WA Curriculum Links | Science: ACSSU002, ACSSU004 and ACSSU005 |
This program is delivered within our dedicated outdoor learning destination in the Children’s Forest, bushland planted by children and their families in a community ‘forest’.
What does it take to survive in the Children’s Forest and beyond?
The Children’s Forest isn’t just a fun place to visit, it’s also home to a large number of native birds and animals! Students will learn about the different Australian animals that live in the area before ‘becoming’ the native residents of the Forest on a search for much-needed food, water and shelter. They will also get to meet our education animals and learn about what is essential for their survival in the Australian bush.
In this program, your Year 1 students will:
✔ Identify some native Australian animals and what their needs for survival are.
✔ Identify common features of animals and the habitats that they live in.
✔ Understand the importance of looking after the environment for the survival of plants and animals.
| Year level | Year 1 |
| Cost | $6.00 per child |
| Availability | Tuesday to Friday |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| WA Curriculum Links | Science: ACSSU002, ACSSU004 and ACSSU005 |
This program is delivered within our dedicated outdoor learning destination in the Children’s Forest, bushland planted by children and their families in a community ‘forest’.
Discover what makes our native flora miraculous!
Students will discover how unique and amazing our native plants really are! From marri trees to native wisteria, each species has developed unique and special ways to live – and thrive – in our harsh and dry climate. Students will have an opportunity to get hands-on with a variety of native seeds and seed pods, identifying these plants while exploring the Children’s Forest.
In this program, your Year 2 students will:
✔ Understand that plants have a life cycle and stages.
✔ Understand that plants are living and growing.
✔ Learn that native plant life cycles have evolved to live in a harsh, dry environment.
✔ See that plants have offspring which look like the adult plant.
✔ Identify a range of native plants.
| Year level | Year 2 |
| Cost | $6.00 per child |
| Availability | Tuesday to Friday |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| WA Curriculum Links | Mathematics: ACMMG061 Science: ACSSU044 Sustainability: O1.2 – OI.9 |
This program is delivered within our dedicated outdoor learning destination in the Children’s Forest, bushland planted by children and their families in a community ‘forest’.
How many gumnuts does a bobtail weigh?
Your class will explore these and other amazing questions as they become environmental officers in Woodland Reserve. Using their measuring and weighing skills, your students will see how we use maths at Whiteman Park to look after our quenda and critically endangered woylie populations.
In this program, your Year 3 students will:
✔ Practise measuring in centimetres and weighing in grams.
✔ Apply practical maths skills in an outdoor setting.
✔ Learn about some local native animals.
✔ Understand how and why rangers look after our animals and bushland.
| Year level | Year 3 |
| Cost | $6.00 per child |
| Availability | Monday to Friday |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| WA Curriculum Links | Mathematics: ACMMG061 Science: ACSSU044 Sustainability: O1.2 – OI.9 |
This program is delivered in Whiteman Park's fauna conservation breeding facility, Woodland Reserve.
Imagine building an aquifer out of icecream and then eating the result!
This is just one of the fun-filled and engaging activities that students can participate in at the 2021 Children’s Gnangara Groundwater Festival at Whiteman Park.
Our Festival provides an opportunity for Western Australian middle and upper primary school students and their teachers to come together on a designated day with a specific focus to learn more about water, groundwater, sustainability and other related environmental topics. Over 17,300 students from 106 schools have attended the Festival since the first event was held in 2002.
Whiteman Park offers a distinctive venue for the Festival because it relies 100% on groundwater for its own water supplies and protects the southern edge of the Gnangara Water Mound, the largest groundwater source in WA, above which the Park sits.
Each class that attends is scheduled into over four hours of dynamic, ‘hands on’ and interactive activities led by environmental professionals, participating in the introductory ‘Mega Water Session’, three groundwater-related learning activities and a period of ‘free time’ festival fun.
This year, the capacity for the Festival will be capped at 32 classes to allow for Covid Safety measures. If you have any enquiries about the 2021 Festival, please email us at [email protected]
School registrations
Teachers! You can apply for your class to attend the 2021 Festival once registrations open in March 2021. Just download the Schools Registration Form, then return the completed form by Tuesday 1 June, 2021. The form is fully interactive so there is no need to print it! Just complete everything electronically, save it, then email the form back to us.
Want to know more?
Download the 2019 Festival Activity Overview for a look at the types of workshops and activities that your class could participate in!
Want to get involved?
If you are interested in participating on the day as a workshop presenter or event volunteer, or in helping to support the event through sponsorship, please contact our Groundwater Festival coordinators via [email protected] or download the CGF Sponsorship opportunities (this includes presenter registration information).
Thank you
Whiteman Park would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE THANK YOU to our 2019 Festival Sponsor and supporters:
Chittering Landcare Centre • City of Bayswater • City of Swan • Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: Nearer to Nature • Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage • Earth Science WA / CSIRO • Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council • North Metropolitan TAFE • RPS Group • South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare • The Wetlands Centre, Cockburn • Water Corporation
Snakes Alive
Australia has a fascinating array of reptiles… and a lot of slithery snakes! Students will get to see an amazing variety of Western Australian lizards, pythons and snakes up close and learn about snake bite first aid. They will even have an opportunity to handle a live snake – if they dare! This is a great add on program with other environmental education programs.
- Suitable for Years K to 12
- Cost is $10.00 per child (min. 20 students)
- Available Monday to Friday
- Not curriculum linked
Tree Planting
Opportunities exist for schools with an interest in the environment to assist with our annual planting program from Mid-Term 2 to Mid-Term 3. Groups can help the revegetation efforts of Whiteman Park’s conservation team with weeding and planting in key areas of the Park.
To be eligible for a tree-planting excursion, carer numbers need to be higher than usual, especially for younger year groups, and buses must be able to transport students to different areas within the Park. Tree-planting is conducted rain, hail or shine.
** Please contact the Bookings Officer to make a booking, as dates fill quickly!
Vintage Train Rides
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, it’s all aboard for a delightful 6km train ride through Whiteman Park’s woodlands – can you spot a kangaroo?
Heritage Electric Tram Rides
On Tuesdays and Fridays, jump aboard a vintage electric tram for a rattling ride through Whiteman Park’s remnant farmland and native bushland to Mussel Pool and back.
Optional Extras
You can also incorporate the following options into your excursion program at Whiteman Park for no, or nominal, fees:
- Sports equipment hire
- Orienteering
- Bushwalking
- The Children’s Forest
- Sports court
- a BBQ picnic
- Playtime in the large, shaded playground.
If you would like some further information on any of our programs or would like to have our Education and Public Programs Officer come out to your school for a free information session, please call us on 9209 6000.