1

2

Greening Australia –Greening Australia has been restoring and conserving landscapes across Australia for over 35 years. We work on major programs that bring life to landscapes and restore balance to the natural environment in ways that work for communities, economies and nature. Our hundreds of projects demonstrate conservation on a massive scale, covering millions of hectares of land and protecting thousands of native species. We provide industry leadership through the sharing of knowledge, community ownership and the latest science and innovation. By involving large numbers of people and partners on the ground – from local volunteers to major corporations – we can achieve much more than we could alone.

Great Southern Landscapes –Since European settlement, we have lost over 80% of the natural habitat in our agricultural areas across southern Australia, impacting on biodiversity, threatened species and the productivity of our farmlands. To help our plants and wildlife, and to combat global climate change, we are working across southern Australia’s unique landscapes to create Australia’s largest carbon sink and integrate hundreds of thousands of hectares of habitat into farming systems to create healthy, productive landscapes for people and nature.

WHO WE ARE

Photo credit: Dan Harley

3

In 1974, Sir John T. Reid gifted Haining Farm to the Victorian Conservation Trust

for the people of Victoria to use for the purpose of education and conservation.

“Haining Farm is special as it is one of the very few places in Victoria that

provides the right conditions to create new homes at the right scale to reduce

these species risk of extinction. The combination of community engagement

and wild endangered animals that we have planned is a world first.” DR ELISA RAULINGS, NATIONAL SCIENCE AND PROGRAMS MANAGER, SOUTHERN REGION

THE FARM AND THE

REDEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

The best way to educate people about nature is to immerse them in it. Haining Farm park will be a place where the community can have fun outdoor experiences and learn to love the land they depend on. A partnership between Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria and Greening Australia, the site will provide for community access that includes 6km of walking and cycling trails, bird hides, nature-based playgrounds, picnic areas, community meeting centres and education areas. For details on site development please visit the Engage Victoria website.

A collaborative project between Greening Australia, Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria and DELWP is creating much needed new homes for Victoria’s critically endangered animal emblems in the Yarra Valley: the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater. Suitable habitat has been identified as a major threat to the survival of the two iconic species. The Haining Farm redevelopment will create much needed new habitat and food sources for Helmeted Honeyeaters and lowland Leadbeater’s Possums.

Photo credit: Zoos Victoria

4

RECONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE

RESILIENT LANDSCAPES FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

INSPIRING CHANGE THROUGH EDUCATION

HAINING FARM ACTION AREAS AND THEMES

Action Areas

Haining Farm is a special place that improves health and wellbeing through reconnecting people with nature. It is a unique place where people can bond through a shared enjoyment and love of the land, learning and community.

This unique piece of land is where people can be out and about in nature. People of all ages can engage in watching and appreciating wildlife. We envisage the site to have a strong connection to community for the celebration of cultural heritage and for people to learn about the world around them as active citizen scientists.

Haining Farm demonstrates a healthy, resilient landscape for people and wildlife; a place that can cope with a changing climate and encourage others to plan for the future. Through education and the promotion of best practice restoration, we are empowering people to steward the land.

It is a special place to re-wild threatened species and build resilience in endangered animal populations, creating safe havens for wildlife through habitat restoration, as well as ensuring healthy soils and improving water quality.

Haining Farm focuses on engaging people about the importance of healthy habitats and how we can preserve our natural systems for future generations. Inspiring a love of nature in young people and educating them on how to tackle conservation challenges enables them to take action that makes a difference.

Understanding the science of habitat restoration and the benefits of planting on public and private land shows us that we can halt biodiversity loss and build healthy, resilient landscapes.

5

Themes

Wildlife

Water

Nature

Action

Atmosphere

Landscapes

People

Project Management

Flora

Community

6

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GUIDE

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Haining Farm is an ideal venue for educators who are interested in learning outcomes which highlight conservation efforts and inspire people about the need for healthy habitats. Excursions to Haining Farm offer excellent opportunities for students to learn about threatened species and habitat restoration.

As a guide, a standard excursion focuses on the stewardship of the land and includes:

• A history of the land and the vision of the project (tailored to year level themes)

• Walk and talk on sections of the site and discussion of key areas of restoration / recreation

• Fieldwork skills activities.

Programs for VELS F-6 can be designed around themes of endangered species, wetlands, minibeasts and arbor activities. These sessions can combine unique Parks Victoria curriculum that is either self-guided or teacher-led outdoor activities. Sessions can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours and include:

• How would you design and manage parks?

• Discovering trees, insects and water bug activities

• What homes can we build for animals?

• Bush supermarkets

• Basic fieldwork skills

‘Junior Land Manager’ Program

7

A UNIQUE BIOME OF THE YARRA VALLEY

YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY

Discover how Haining Farm fits into the landscape of biomes in Victoria. It considers some of the typical patterns of water movement and the ecological uniqueness of the Yarra Valley. The unit focus on the type of vegetation that will be critical to endangered species of the region. It studies the complexity of vegetation communities in the view of the dominant forest biome. It will examine the wider benefits of restoring native habits, exploring the concepts of regenerative agriculture and a ‘shared value’.

The following programs are designed to support the Victorian Curriculum

7-10 and Geography, Environmental Science and Outdoor and Environmental

Studies VCE Study Designs

WATER IN THE DON VALLEY – PLACE AND LIVEABILITY

YEAR 7 GEOGRAPHY

AN ALLUVIAL LANDSCAPE IN THE YARRA VALLEY

YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY

Incorporating the Don and Yarra Rivers, Haining Farm is a perfect place to consider water flows and water regimes on public land. This unit will view how land managers need to understand topography, weather patterns and flooding cycles to manage park development. Water at Haining Farm will play a significant role in establishing wetland cells for the wider benefit of species habitat. This unit also discusses the liveability of areas that have access to recreational areas like Haining Farm as a public park.

This unit will consider how the features of Haining Farm are shaped and created. It will investigate how this landscape is portrayed and valued by people. Biological and geomorphic discussions of the landscape – especially the water cycle, endemic plants and resulting landforms – and how human and natural forces have formed this location will be explored. It will also consider the spatial distribution of the landscape against the wider formation of the Yarra Valley and broader Victorian landscapes.

SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS

8

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, REVEGETATION AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT

OF LANDSCAPES

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY UNIT 3 / OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES UNIT 4

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITIES

YEAR 12 ENVIRIONMENTAL SCIENCE UNIT 3

This unit looks at the complex decision to change the use of this site. It will explore the influence of unique geographical characteristics in the region, the goals of organisations and community groups within wider planning strategies. What change over time has occurred on this land in the Yarra Valley? What are the consequences of this change and what strategies are in place to manage this transition? Considerations of climate change, fire management and how we use public land and forests will be examined.

This unit will consider (through the lens of the critically endangered lower Leadbeater’s Possum and the Helmeted Honeyeater): Is investing in biodiversity worthwhile? We certainly believe so. Highlighting conservation categories, wildlife corridors and habitat restoration efforts, Haining Farm (and the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve) will be examined in terms of its conservation and community value. This program shows how environmental science is used by government organisations, NGOs and philanthropic organisations towards a wider conservation strategy, one with long lasting benefits for the public.

TOURISM AND SPECIES CONSERVATION

YEAR 11 GEOGRAPHY UNIT 2

View the Haining Farm redevelopment in the context of Yarra Valley tourism. Consider this new park in the context of wider tourism management plans, especially for local and state planners. What makes this a unique world first in parks? The unit focuses on the proposed ‘concept design’: conservation, community, education and recreation. The early development of the site provides a rare opportunity for students to observe tourism development from its inception.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR A FUTURE PARK

YEAR 10 GEOGRAPHY / YEAR 12 OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES UNIT 4

The Haining Farm redevelopment is a unique opportunity to provide a future park for economic, social and conservation activities. What has allowed this site to change from a dairy farm to a community conservation park? What challenges needed to be overcome to restore land to its previous condition? What conflicts can arise over the use of land for communities and the public? This unit considers the management of public land and the voice of stakeholders. It focuses on understanding the features of the natural environment and interconnections for sustainable management.

9

The site provides opportunities for:

• Water and soil testing

• Invertebrate identification (all levels)

• Planting events (Spring and Autumn)

• ICT / Mobile applications (Citizen Science)

• 2 hrs $TBDpp (minimum $ + GST)

• 3 hrs $TBDpp (minimum $ + GST) – specific programs only

Other Activities

Time and Costs

The site currently lends itself to an optimal group size of maximum 25 students. Larger groups can be accommodated upon request and availability.

Standard Senior School programs 2020 RATES TO BE DETERMINED:

Tailored overview sessions of 1 hr (Educational Tours groups / local schools / camp programs / Scout groups /

Environmental Groups / community) can be arranged: $TBDpp (minimum TBD).

Combined Programs Opportunities

With aims that complement the Haining Farm redevelopment, the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater run education tours and activities in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. This is a perfect follow-up activity to a visit to Haining Farm. Hear about the programs being run to save species and view the sort of habitat that will be achieved in the redevelopment.

Other educational providers in the area run excellent programs for species conservation, sustainability and unique forest environments of the Yarra Valley. Please speak to our Education and Community Engagements Manager about how you could combine a trip.

Weather and Visitor Considerations

Please note that limited toilet facilities and cover from the weather is available on site.

Parks Victoria rules apply for closure to the park during to Total Fire Ban days, including minimal impact and safety protocols for visitors.

10

GREENING AUSTRALIA CONTACT DETAILS

For further information and bookings, please contact:

Phone: 0458 302 732

Email: ARice@greeningaustralia.org.au

Website: https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/programs/great-southern-landscapes/