Riverina EEC
Our centre is part of the NSW Department of Education’s Environmental Education Centres network. We help students and teachers learn about the environment, sustainability and nature through hands-on learning.
The Riverina Environmental Education Centre (REEC) is situated on the Olympic Way at Wagga Wagga. It is a facility of the NSW Department of Education and provides services to public schools in NSW.
REEC has been established since 1989 and caters on average for 5000 Kindergarten to Year 12 students per annum. The Centre is committed to assisting students and teachers understanding and improving the quality of their environment.
Facilities at REEC include an Administration Office, Demountable Classroom, Microscope & Interactive Classroom and Traditional Aboriginal Campsite set in surrounding bushland.
The Centre is staffed by a full-time Principal, Teacher and an Administrative Manager, and a part-time General Assistant.
Students mainly use REEC in the Murrumbidgee catchment, as well as schools from Lachlan and Murray catchments within reasonable travel time to Wagga. Schools from the NSW Department of Education utilise the Centre on a regular basis throughout the year.
REEC runs a mix of programs to cater to students (K-12) from the region. Student groups visit the Centre or Centre staff visit schools throughout the Riverina and Southwest slopes, to run outreach programs. The Centre utilises a variety of sites throughout the Riverina for studies.
REEC works cooperatively with other Environmental Education providers including Lake Cowal Conservation Centre, Environmental and Zoo Education Centres, Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils, Wagga Wagga City Council and NSW Universities.
Our environment
Our centre uses the local natural area to make learning active, enjoyable and linked to real life. Outdoor learning helps students feel more connected to nature.
Working with schools
We work with all NSW Department of Education schools exclusively. Rural south and west directorate schools can book our centre for our co-curricular learning programs and teacher professional development.
Learning programs
We run hands-on programs for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Our programs link to what students are learning in class and can be changed to suit their needs.
Many of our programs also include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. Students learn about culture, Country and how to care for the environment.
Our staff are trained teachers who are experts in environmental education. They guide students through real-world learning experiences that are active and engaging. Students get to explore, ask questions and think about the world around them. We also give schools activities to do before and after the visit to help keep the learning going.
Our programs include:
- day excursions to our centre or nearby bushland and wetlands
- visits to schools
Teacher support
We also support teachers with:
- resources including LearnPath study guides, borrowable Rich Text Picture Book Resource Boxes for all primary programs
- planning lessons and programs
Riverina EEC is on Wiradjuri Country.
Visit Riverina EEC website.
