The ‘Every Bit Counts’ Enviro-Stories program involves schools from the Hunter Region of NSW learning about the importance of sustainably managing our farmland and natural resources and protecting them from biosecurity threats. Students have already begun to explore the destructive nature of invasive pests within our peri-urban landscapes through the City Livin’ Ferals program.
The aim of this program is to make students aware that caring for our land, water resources, wildlife and biosecurity is a shared responsibility and EVERY BIT we can do to improve our region COUNTS towards protecting it for the future. This means that each small action or step is important and is a positive contribution to creating healthy, productive landscapes.
Students involved in this program will write and illustrate a 15-page storybook focused on the theme they have researched. This story will be published into an A5 school reader and the students will have the honour of becoming published authors. These books will be distributed to schools, libraries and throughout the wider community as a resource to help others learn about the topic.
Every Bit Counts
The Every Bit Counts Enviro-Stories program will provide students with an understanding of how invasive pest animals and weeds are impacting our native wildlife, agriculture and sensitive landscapes, particularly in peri-urban areas(farms that are 2-20 hectares in size). Every landholder, regardless of how big or small their property, has a responsibility to control pest animals and weeds.
Learn more about Every Bit Counts
Students will also learn how to keep our creeks, rivers and riverbanks healthy. Everyone has a role to play in caring for our catchments and protecting our water resources now and into the future.
This Enviro-Stories program is currently only available to schools in the Hunter Region, however it will become available to schools in other coastal Local Land Services regions as the project develops.
What do I have to do?
STEP 1: Download your Story Template.
Every Bit Counts Story Template
STEP 2: Identify and research your topic.
STEP 3: Write and illustrate a 15 page story plus 1 cover page as outlined in the Story Template. Make sure you…
- View our Hints and Tips about how to write a good Enviro-Stories book. READ MORE…
- Check out previous books to see how the books are laid out and the amount of text that has been used. GO TO THE LIBRARY…
- Check the story to ensure any scientific or technical details are accurate.
- Check the spelling and grammar.
STEP 4: Fill in our evaluation form for TEACHERS and STUDENTS.
STEP 5: Post the story and original illustrations to:
Jane Lloyd-Jones
Hunter Local Land Services
Private Bag 2010
Paterson NSW 2421
Need some help?
For any questions about participating in the Every Bit Counts Enviro-Stories program, please contact:
Peter Coleman
Enviro-stories Coordinator
Based in Victoria
Mobile: 0411 729 444
Email: admin@envirostories.com.au
For any questions about the topic and local advice and support, please contact:
Jane Lloyd-Jones
Hunter Local Land Services
Based in Paterson
Phone: 02 4938 4958
Email: jane.lloyd-jones@lls.nsw.gov.au
City Livin’ Ferals
If you’re living around Sydney and in the suburbs, then the City Livin’ Ferals theme is the one for you. We’ve already had some fantastic stories published about feral animals living in and causing havoc around Sydney. CHECK THEM OUT…
City Livin’ Ferals involves schools from the Greater Sydney area learning about the feral animals that are impacting our native wildlife, agricultural production, urban areas and other sensitive landscapes.
Many people think the problems caused by feral animals only affects rural and remote communities. In fact, feral animals are far more widespread and also have a devastating impact on our urban (city) areas and the surrounding regions.
Greater Sydney is a large and diverse region with natural environments including plateaus, coastal and estuarine landscapes, river valleys, beaches, parks and bushland. Feral animals affect all of these areas and cause problems wherever they are found.
What do I have to do?
STEP 1: Download your Story Template.
City Livin' Ferals Story Template
STEP 2: Identify and research your topic.
STEP 3: Write and illustrate a 15 page story plus 1 cover page as outlined in the Story Template. Make sure you…
- View our Hints and Tips about how to write a good Enviro-Stories book. READ MORE…
- Check out previous City Livin’ Ferals books to see how they have been written and illustrated. GO TO THE LIBRARY…
- Check the story to ensure any scientific or technical details are accurate.
- Check the spelling and grammar.
STEP 4: Fill in our evaluation form for TEACHERS and STUDENTS.
STEP 5: Post the story and original illustrations to:
Nicole Schembri
NSW DPI Biosecurity and Food Safety
PO Box 6682
Silverwater NSW 1811
Need some help?
For any questions about participating in the Every Bit Counts Enviro-Stories program, please contact:
Peter Coleman
Enviro-stories Coordinator
Based in Victoria
Mobile: 0411 729 444
Email: admin@envirostories.com.au
For any questions about the topic and local advice and support, please contact:
Nicole Schembri
Department of Primary Industries
Based in Newington
Phone: 02 9741 4819 or 0417 573 744
Email: nic.schembri@dpi.nsw.gov.au
What feral animals are found around Sydney?
Greater Sydney LLS - Pest Control Pest Animal Species
Target species to research include:
- European fox
- Feral cat
- Feral pig
- European rabbit
- Wild dog
Other species could include:
- Feral goat
- Feral deer
- European honey bee
- House mouse
- Mosquito fish
- Indian Myna
Healthy Waterways Resources
Activity Sheets
- The Water Cycle – Stage 2 Activity Sheet
- Protect Our Waterways Find-a-Word
- Platypus Pete Catchment Quiz
Student-written brochures
WaterNSW Resources
Explore a range of key concepts about water and catchment management in Greater Sydney’s drinking water catchments.
Stormwater Teaching Guide
The package comprises a poster, Stormwater – Everyone’s responsibility every day, and web-based teaching/learning material for Science and Technology K-6, Science Stage 4-5, HSIE Stage 2 and Geography Stage 5 which include a schools accreditation scheme and activities for students.
Biosecurity Resources
Be a Biosecurity Warrior
The Biosecurity Warrior Training Manual assists children in understanding the importance of Biosecuirty.
Feral Animal Resources
Pest Tales
Provides primary school teachers with a complete and up to date resource highlighting pest animal species in Australia, their impact and current ways of managing the damage they inflict on the environment, economy and people. The website includes a teachers guide – “Ferals in the Classroom” and 3 units of work (containing lesson plans and activity sheets):
- Unit 1 — Are you a pest?
- Unit 2 — Pest invaders
- Unit 3 — Pest problems
Feral Focus
This secondary school website has more advanced units of work about feral animals. There is lots of great information and well worth a look.
PestSmart Connect
PestSmart is a website full of information on best practice pest animal management in Australia. This site contains lots of fact sheets, news items and background information about feral animals. They also provide contact details of agencies, organisations and groups that are active in pest animal management and can provide people with services, useful advice or assistance.
Other feral animal websites
- News Article: War on Feral Cats
- News Article: Feral Cats Roaming Sydney
- News Article: Feral Pigs
- News Article: Feral Pigs Infiltrate Sydney
- RSPCA – Cats
- Feral animals in Australia – Department of the Environment and Energy
- Private Company: Australian Feral Management
- West Pittwater Community Association
Checklist before submitting your entry
I have read the Terms and Conditions of participating in this program.
I have made sure that any photos that contain people have been approved for public release.
I have made sure that all details on the entry are correct – e.g. student names.
Please fill out an evaluation form before submitting your entry.
Our Sponsors
The Every Bit Counts Enviro-Stories program forms part of a collaborative project between all four coastal Local Land Services (LLS) regions, including Hunter LLS, Greater Sydney LLS, South East LLS and North Coast LLS. The project has been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust.
Hunter LLS has partnered with Hunter Water Corporation since 2014 to provide education programs which engage school students and teachers in projects to improve water quality and catchment health.
