Residents with an interest in their local environment and great outdoors are encouraged to apply for Greater Geelong’s Nature Stewards program.

The annual program allows people to discover more about their local native plants and animals and learn a variety of ways to care for the natural places where our wildlife lives.

Presented by Outdoors Victoria in conjunction with the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Field Naturalists Club the program covers topics such as geology climate plants water animals and conservation land management.

Councillor Jim Mason Chair Environment portfolio:

Nature Stewards aims to educate the next generation of environmental volunteers and activists.

Greater Geelong has such a rich and diverse natural environment and there are many local groups doing great work on the ground.

Nature Stewards is all about arming residents with the knowledge and connections to join and lead grassroot conservation movements.

The 10-week course begins on Saturday 23 July and runs until Saturday 1 October with three-hour classes to be held at Leopold Community Hub.

Several field trips to biodiversity hotspots across Greater Geelong are included in the program.

Councillor Belinda Moloney Deputy Chair Environment portfolio:

We encourage people to seek more information and to lodge their applications at www.outdoorsvictoria.org.au/nature-stewards

Nature Stewards is a great stepping stone for people who want to further their skills and interest in the great outdoors.

The program is open to anyone over the age of 18 however preference will be given to those who live in Greater Geelong.

It is best suited to people with little or no formal environmental education who want to explore environmental volunteering opportunities.

Taking inspiration from well-established Master Naturalist programs in the USA Nature Stewards began in Victoria in 2019.

Greater Geelong was the first regional Victorian municipality to offer the program.