Wildlife partnership disconnects Melbourne students from technology

An intensive first-hand experience on Country is pioneering a fresh approach to teaching conservation within the Australian school curriculum. Melbourne’s Carey Baptist Grammar School has introduced a new program called Carey Zero at Kew, a unique year-long core learning program in Year 10, and the Zero Journey, an exciting three-week expedition to Far North Queensland.

In a collaboration with Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), the Carey Zero program has already supported 90 students to disconnect from technology and Melbourne’s busy city life over the two-year pilot program. The highlight of the year-long program is an immersive three-week journey through Northern Queensland called Zero Journey. This component of Carey Zero focuses on environmental sustainability, learning about First Nations cultures and land management, marine biology and native ecology.

While Carey Zero is mandatory for Year 10 students, participation in the interstate Zero Journey is entirely optional. Regardless, the pilot program has proved successful with 270 out of 307 students signing up to Zero Journey in 2024.

Rhiannon Khoury/AWC

“Carey Zero is a life-changing experience,” said Thomas, a Carey student, after partaking in the pilot program.

One of the key aspects of the program, a six-day hike, leads students through AWC’s 59,100 hectare Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to northern Australia’s first large, feral predator-free fenced area which protects the endangered Northern Bettong from feral cats.

Nathan Browne is the National Manager of AWC partnerships, who is forging purposeful, driven partnerships that benefit the land and community. According to Browne, AWC’s wilderness sanctuaries provide a unique connection to a landscape free from development and disruption.

Oli Aylen/AWC

“The students are deeply concerned about Australia’s environmental and extinction issues but can feel disconnected to the solutions. These trips allow them to get onto the land, learn about practical conservation activities and get involved in making a difference. They’re seeing, and contributing to the solutions for the future,” Browne said.

“This partnership brings a new generation of people who are educated to become conservation advocates.”

As part of the program students learn about the importance of controlled burning and the destructive impact of wildfire. Browne explained that by demonstrating AWC’s conservation efforts in the sanctuary, including the Northern Bettong reintroduction program and wildlife monitoring for animals like the Sharman’s Rock-wallaby, students discover real, working solutions for the struggling Australian environment. By observing the spread of invasive weeds like lantana among native grasses and actively removing them, students can more greatly understand threats to the native land and learn how to instigate change.

Rhiannon Khoury/AWC

Tom Ziebell, Head of Carey Zero, has witnessed the impact of the journey on students. Ziebell commented particularly on the long-standing impact students felt after leaving behind phones and technology.

After participating in the Zero Journey, Carey student Miller discovered that, “not having technology helped me connect with everyone else in the group and left me stress free”.

Carey chose Mount Zero-Taravale because unlike national parks with public access and disruption from other schools, the land is free from other uses such as farming and public access.

“The students go in groups of only 15, they are almost completely secluded out there. It allows them to truly connect classroom learning with real life possibilities,” Ziebell said.

Oli Aylen/AWC

After successful pilot programs in the last two years, Carey Zero is set to become part of the Year 10 course in 2024. The Zero at Kew component of the program is a small daily on-campus class, and students’ Zero Journeys take place in Terms 2 and 3. This is a 20-day trip through cattle stations run by First Nations peoples, the Great Barrier Reef and a hike through Mount Zero-Taravale. Sanctuary ecologists and project managers have now trained Carey staff to lead future hikes across Mount Zero-Taravale, further disseminating conservation information.

Tom Ziebell elaborated on the future for Carey Baptist Grammar School’s partnership with AWC, emphasising ongoing improvements and goal of carbon neutrality.

The Australian education curriculum frames Year 10 as a pinnacle point for forming career aspirations and creating strong role models as students begin to choose final subjects and apply for universities. Felicity L’Hotellier, AWC Senior Field Ecologist, leads the science program at Mount Zero-Taravale while alongside partner and sanctuary manager Josh McAllister, raises her young daughter. Nathan Browne shared feedback from students which praised L’Hotellier for demonstrating strong female career roles in the field of ecology that successfully balance work and family life.

“I saw some students, upon returning, looking into ecology subjects and career options for the first time ever”, Ziebell said.

To learn more about Carey Baptist Grammar School’s Carey Zero program, click here.