Investing in Nesting is an initiative that provides students with an opportunity to be involved in ongoing environmental action following their visit to the zoo. Participating schools are provided with a nest-box to install in their school grounds. Students then collect data on any animal inhabitants and participate in a collaborative process to evaluate the effectiveness of nest-boxes and their benefits to local wildlife.

The project engages students in a shared experience that creates a positive attitude to their learning and the environment through first hand experience of the difference their actions can make. Student’s build their ecological understandings, learning about human impacts on the environment, and practical ways they can act to protect it.

Case Study
An example of Investing in Nesting working at its best is demonstrated through the partnership between Werribee Open Range Zoo and Mackillop Catholic Regional College. This partnership was initiated in response to the demand for an authentic learning unit of work that incorporated a multidisciplinary approach to the VELS.

Year 10 students investigate the local issue of habitat loss and design nestboxes for their selected native species. Year 7 science students studying endangered species become a nestbox buddy by inserting their school email contact inside the nestbox and deliver nestboxes to Werribee Open Range Zoo.

These nest boxes are then distributed to schools throughout Victoria investigating the effects of habitat loss on local wildlife. Students at the recipient school install the nestbox on school grounds to strengthen the action component of their authentic learning unit. Students collect data of animal inhabitants and report via email to the Year 7 science students on a monthly basis. The science students collate data gathered and formulate a report evaluating the effectiveness of nestboxes and the benefits to local wildlife.

To date 44 schools throughout Victoria have received nestboxes constructed by Mackillop College students.

Strong partnerships are built between Zoo’s Victoria and schools, and post visit activities undertaken by schools raise awareness of local environmental issues leaving school communities feeling empowered and informed.

The authentic nature of the program ensures that students take greater ownership and responsibility for their learning, along with developing interpersonal, communication, problem solving, time management and technology skills. The hands-on nature of the discovery session allows students to physically connect with native wildlife, which in turn often translates to an emotive connection. Once this connection has been made, these students are provided with the foundations for a future in which humans and wildlife live in balance with the natural world.