Blog

Join the EcoCentre’s Matt McArthur on a dive into the Port Phillip Bay to discover the biology, migration and distribution of native Giant Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). You may have heard of the Giant Spider Crab aggregation events in the shallow waters of our Bay during winter. In the seminar recording below, Matt shares his stories and explains why marine biologists and scientists believe these fascinating creatures gather in shallow waters for such events every year.

Effective green teams in your school can help drive a culture of sustainability. Here are some of our top tips on how to create effective green teams in your school community:

Resist the urge to do this work on your own.

Have conversations with colleagues, leadership, the school business manager, parents and of course your students. You will find traction for your ideas in one or more of these conversations. It is important to have succession in mind. If you were to leave the school, would the Green Team and its work continue and thrive.

Along with public parks, gardens on private land can help enhance biodiversity and improve our wellbeing. Download our free Grow Wild backyard biodiversity guide to find out which plants to choose to support urban wildlife in your garden or balcony.

Potentially a world-first, Caulfield Primary School has installed a bilingual compost system with signage in both English and Japanese.

The Student Environment Club designed the signs so students could understand what does and doesn't belong in the compost bins in both languages.
 

Download our free nature bingo card and see what nature you can see, hear, and smell from your balcony or backyard! Fill in the card and tag us on Instagram (@ecocentrestkilda), Twitter (@ecocentrestk) or Facebook (@ecocentrestkilda).

Click the photo to download the bingo card.

We’re keeping our volunteers, staff, educators, students, and broader community safe.

The EcoCentre is adapting our programs based on expert public health advice. Until further notice, the EcoCentre will be connecting you to nature online.

We're launching a series of Thursday 6pm workshops and presentations.

Guest blog post by Alive Outside Snorkelling Safari participant, Shreya (12 years old)

The waves slithered onto my feet as I took a step closer. The sun was scorching and the water was cooling, just a perfect snorkelling day. I splashed into the water and slipped on my fins and started walking backwards, so that I didn't fall. 

Thanks to everyone who attended the last Teacher Environment Network Meeting on 30 October hosted by the wonderful Tim Mc Rae at Gardenvale Primary School! We explored the topic of Biodiversity by the Bay.

This guide is republished from Sustainable Port Phillip. Read their other worm farm guides here. 

Where should I put my worm farm?

Worm farms require a shady spot, especially one that is away from the afternoon sun! Undercover spots including open sheds and outdoor areas with lots of tree cover are ideal.

This article is republished from Sustainable Port Phillip. Read the original article.

If you have children, you may be having (or avoiding) some tricky conversations around the climate crisis and unsure what to say that is appropriate for your child’s age without making them fearful.

City of Port Phillip recently with a panel of students and professionals to provide parents with insight, advice and strategies, after parents told us this was something they wanted help with.