Destination forests
From the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Strickland State Forest near Gosford is gaining a reputation for fascinating school excursions. Photo Forests NSW Image Library
Strickland State Forest on the NSW central coast has become a hot destination for excursions for both primary and secondary school students.
For several years primary students have flocked to the forest to study the local environment as a part of a unit on rainforests.
In 2009, a new excursion program for secondary students was trialled.
“Students explore parts of forest that have been harvested in the past to gain insight into harvesting methods and sustainable timber production in NSW,”
Forests NSW senior ranger, Tim Liston, said. “They also look at the arboretum – a planting of trees that is one of the oldest in Australia – to examine different species, their timber properties and end uses.
“We also address the hot environmental topic today, being carbon, and students measure trees to determine their carbon storage capacity.”
The excursion is designed for year 9 and 10 Industrial Technology students.
For information about Strickland State forest go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests/recreation For information about excursions go to online.
Joanna Bodley Community Programs, Sydney
