Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre

Warrumbungle National Park EEC

The Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre (WNPEEC) serves all NSW Department of Education schools and non-government schools across the central west and north west of NSW and beyond. Situated within the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park, the centre conducts fieldwork at a variety of sites. Each location offers unique natural and cultural significance.

Programs are delivered by qualified, highly experienced Department of Education teachers, both in the field and at schools. The centre has access to a diverse range of environments, and can offer an extensive suite of curriculum-based environmental education programs for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The education centre staff are committed to providing hands-on integrated learning experiences, tailored to meet the specific needs of each visiting group. They run high-quality excursions and incursions, all closely aligned with syllabus outcomes, and inspire students through authentic environmental learning and education for sustainability.

The Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is one of 24 environmental and zoo education centresopen_in_new operated by the NSW Department of Education.

Location

Our centre is located in the Warrumbungle National Park 35 km due west of Coonabarabran. We are also close to the Castlereagh River and Pilliga Forest.

Facilities

Our centre consists of an office, classroom, shed, yarning circle, camp kitchen and outdoor games. There are flush toilets adjacent to the EEC provided by the national park and a shower block about 300m from the EEC.

Working with schools

We work with all NSW public and non-government schools. Schools can book our centre for our co-curricular learning programs and teacher professional development.

When your school comes for an excursion, we provide all resources for field work. For some programs we request you print out worksheets for students.

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 trips to our centre or nearby bushland
visits to schools
camp programs

Teacher support

We also support teachers with:

workshops for professional learning
helpful teaching resources
support with planning lessons and programs
spaces for staff meetings and student workshops.

The centre sits on Gamilaroi Country.

Visit Warrumbungle National Park EEC website.

Maps end here

K-6

Eucalypt forest

Geography

Stage 2

This unit of work focuses on earth’s environment: eucalypt forest, a significant environment. It describes examples of habitats in the forest and how they meet the needs of living things, in particular how plants are used by animals. It also provides examples of a food chain in the forest.

Students examine the importance of natural vegetation and natural resources to the environment, animals and people and learn about the ways people value environments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

During the day there is a mix of teacher-led and student-centred activities which are explained on mini task cards. The students stop in at least four places on the walk where they select one or more of the tasks to complete independently in that location. A bag of equipment is provided and each student receives an activity journal and map.

View all available programs

7-12

Environmental change and management

Geography

Stage 5

This program comprises of pre-work, excursion, and post-work to target geographical and environmental literacy. This involves a large extent of inquiry-based learning consisting of first-hand observations and experiences by being submersed in the Warrumbungle environment. Students will gather a greater understanding of interactions and connections between people, places and environments by doing either Fans Horizon or Tara Caves short walks in the Warrumbungle N.P. Furthermore, students will gather information to explain the natural and human induced processes and influences that helped form and transform this environment.

Following this activity students will be taken to Camp Blackman, which is the main campground in the Warrumbungle N.P. From here students will draw a map which will further assist in assessing the management strategies for this unique environment to ensure its sustainability.