What Local Native Plant Is That?
In Bushland Near Your SchoolFinding Experts
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What is an EXPERT?
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EXPERTS are Local People who can identify the plants in their own area. This is a very specialised subject usually beyond the expertise of teachers and gardeners. They are people who have a particular interest in native plants and where they grow and are happy to share their knowledge so that schools will have a record of the most common native plants that grow nearby.
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To find an EXPERT in your area, Contact us
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The EXPERT will help schools select a suitable patch of bushland near the school. They will tie nametags to the plants in their natural environment in preparation for the school visit.
Each tag will give the botanical name of that particular plant. About 20 plants will be tagged. These might be:
5 trees,
5 shrubs,
5 ground plants,
2 vines and
3 weeds.
The numbers could vary according to the vegetation type. Where several classes are involved, several areas could be targeted.
You could invite the EXPERT to come with you, or you could find the tags by yourself.
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IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE EXPERT TO SUPERVISE THE CHILDREN
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Once you have the plant names, you can look them up in a book, or on the web. You will need to know the botanical name before you can do this. This is what the EXPERTS are for - to give you the correct plant names. Then it is up to you to find out all you can about them.
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Web Links: www.noosasnativeplants.com.au
Reference Books: Noosa’s Native Plants
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ADVICE TO THE EXPERTS
Expert: from the Latin expertus — tried
Having special skill or knowledge of a project.
In this case, EXPERTS are community volunteers with enough botanical knowledge to go into their local bush and name about 20 common plants, including examples of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and 2 or 3 of the most obvious environmental weeds. The tasks may include:
1. Establish that the school is interested.
2. Make appointment with the teacher to discuss the choice of bushland and decide on a date for the school visit.
3. The bushland should be in walking distance from the school. Some weeds are inevitable . A path through the middle or along the edge is ideal. The site should be NATURAL BUSHLAND — not school landscaped gardens. NOT PLANTED is what we are after.
4. It is not the job of EXPERTS to look after the children, although the teacher may appreciate it if you would like to accompany them. That is up to you.
5. Visit the site the day before the children and tag the plants using the tie on cardboard luggage tags and waterproof pen provided. Write both the botanical and common names if you know them. In this case the botanical name is the most important because that is what they will need to find information about the plant.
6. Keep a list of the plants you have chosen.
The project kit can be delivered to you or directly to the school. All the information about using it is on this web site.
The EXPERTS are not expected to be responsible for the children in any way, but may wish to involve themselves in the project if invited by the teacher to do so.
If / when working directly with students, the experts should hold a "Working with Children Check" or Blue card issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. NICA and schools may assist in the application for a Blue card if needed. The simple process generally takes 4 to 8 weeks. The cards are free for volunteers.
