Council’s Environmental Education Officer is no longer able to provide lesson-based incursions to schools and early childhood centres. Instead, a variety of programs tailored for students, schools/centres, teachers and families are available.
Please see the tabs on this page for more information.
Environmental Education programs are offered to engage children and students in environment and sustainability topics.
The programs aim to create stewardship of our natural environment and precious resources and actions that preserve our environment now and for future generations.
Program details can be found in the tabs below, or in the 2024 Enviroed program booklet (PDF, 651.7 KB).
Contact us
Email: enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3810 6666
2024 Highlights
Council's environmental education program evolves in response to school and strategic needs.
- Waterbug kits will be a new addition in 2024! Schools can borrow this resource from council's EnviroEd officer to make a creek or waterway an instant classroom
- The annual Youth Sustainability Summit will be in a new location in 2024, bringing students together in the Ipswich City Council building and Tulmur Place.
- School visits to Queens Park can organise a guided experience of the Nature Centre, as well as exploring the play-based learning experiences in the Environmental Education Centre.
- Enviroplan Levy Community Funding has increased to up to $3000 for each application, with rounds in March and September each year
- Council lists free environment & sustainability events on a dedicated Eventbrite page, including Kids Go Wild school holiday program.
For students
Youth Sustainability Summit
2024 will see a new location, but the same great inspiration and knowledge-sharing!
This annual event aims to spark sustainability projects at home and school for Ipswich primary school students.
The event will focus on celebrating our achievements, interrogating our challenges and finding leadership opportunities as change makers in the environmental space.
- Where: Ipswich City Council building, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
- When: October 2024
- Target grades: 4-6
- Cost: Free to attend
- How to register: The event will be listed on Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Queens Park
This popular destination offers a variety of environment-related features and activities.
Schools and other large groups are requested to book their visit a month in advance by completing the online Booking Enquiry Form.
A recommended program for exploring the park will be provided, depending on your group size. Please note that groups over 90 students are recommended to split their visit over two days.
More information is in the Queens Park Excursion Guide (PDF, 1.6 MB).
Ipswich Nature Centre
With more than 42 species - including dingoes, wallabies, bilbies and more – the Ipswich Nature Centre is a wonderful opportunity to get up close with native wildlife through a guided experience.
Open: 9.30am – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday
Cost: Free (gold coin donation appreciated)
Environmental Education Centre
At the centre school groups will experience a short presentation by a council officer, followed by time to explore the play-based learning experiences.
If classes are interested in specific focus areas, tailored programs can be arranged.
Open: School group visits are available 9.00am - 2.00pm, Tuesday to Thursday
Cost: Free
Nature excursion
It’s easy to be inspired when you are learning in an outdoor classroom.
Council’s Enviroplan-funded conservation areas provide various options for school groups.
Organise a guided school excursion
Council offers bookable tours for schools and early learning centres, with a number of age-appropriate locations available.
Contact council’s Conservation Visitor Management Officer on 3810 6666 or email environment@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Enviroplan conservation areas
These areas are recommended for school groups. Note that access is limited for large buses.
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
This newly refurbished area features short bushwalks and a nature-themed playground. It is a great option for younger children or those new to outdoor bushwalks.
Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
The Hardings Paddock day use area has a range of features suitable for school groups including bushwalking, camping and facilities for cultural programs such as Kupmurri pit, yarning circles and cultural resource garden.
The Hardings Paddock Community Hut can be booked and is suitable for groups up to 30 people. This self-contained facility has solar power, kitchen, disability access toilet, tables and chairs. Contact council on 3810 6666 for booking details.
White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate
This estate has a variety of bushwalking trails suitable for different ages and abilities. It includes cultural landscape features such as White Rock.
For teachers
Professional Development
Connect with like-minded peers from Ipswich schools and upskill on environment topics for your classroom!
Sessions will occur roughly once a term during the school calendar.
They will be held at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, or at outside/onsite locations if the topic warrants.
Potential topics for the 2024 program include:
- Creating an environmental action plan
- Habitats at school including worms, native bees, frog hotels and planting
- Creating your own bush tucker garden
- Ways to decrease waste at school
- How to monitor your local waterways
- Teaching about erosion and waterways.
To keep an eye out for these events please ‘Follow’ Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Waterbug kits
This is a new addition to council’s EnviroEd program in 2024!
Your local creek or waterway can become an instant classroom with waterbug kits able to be borrowed from council’s EnviroEd officer.
The kit includes nets, trays and a large reference poster so your students can discover the tiny life living in Ipswich waterways, and how that indicates waterway health.
Council’s EnviroEd officer may also be able to suggest some local waterway locations suitable for your activity.
Keep an eye out for a Teacher Professional Development on using these kits – coming in 2024!
For schools
Free plants
Ipswich schools and centres are eligible for 100 free plants each year through the Free Plant Program.
An application form is available at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/freeplants
If you are interested in bush tucker (cultural resource) plants contact enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au for a recommended plant list.
Landholder conservation partnerships
Schools with a big interest in environment conservation may be interested in joining the Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program.
The Enviroplan-funded program assists with managing, enhancing and protecting ecosystems.
The free program offers a range of support and assistance to members.
For information on program options and eligibility criteria, see the Landholder Conservation Partnerships page.
Enviroplan Levy Community Funding
Schools/childcares may apply for up to $3000 each application for projects that:
- increase community understanding of the value of the natural environment and local environmental issues and impacts
- increase community action that benefits the natural environment
- improve the condition of bushland or the conservation of native flora and fauna on private or public land.
There are two rounds of funding each year, in March and September.
Find more information on the Funding and Support page.
Grant Writing Workshops
If you would like some assistance in completing a grant application, council offers grant writing workshops throughout the year. Email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au for more information.
Tangalooma EcoMarines
Tangalooma EcoMarines are providing more opportunities for Ipswich schools to join the program.
EcoMarines complements Ipswich City Council initiatives and environmental education.
The EcoMarines program inspires young learners and their school communities to be environmental leaders through positive action, with a focus on:
- reducing litter
- managing waste, including our key resources
- food, water and energy.
Find out more by contacting Tangalooma EcoMarines directly if you are interested at Ecomarines.org
For families
Environment events
You will find a range of events and educational activities for all ages that highlight our conservation and sustainability efforts across the city.
This includes community education, citizen science, volunteering and habitat planting days.
The school holiday program is filled with a range of fun activities that encourage kids to get involved in our local environment and learn about ways to become more sustainable.
Events are added throughout the year.
Go to Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Click ‘Follow’ to receive notifications when events are added.