Collaborations

Collaborations

Department of Education and Training (DET)

DET contracts Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to provide school education programs to students and teachers throughout Victoria through the Strategic Partnerships Program on a triennial basis 2018 - 2020.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria acknowledges the support of the Department of Education and Training through the Strategic Partnerships Program.


Catholic Education Melbourne

Catholic Education Commission of Victoria has strategic partnerships with Not For Profit cultural and community organisations which offer unique, high quality educational programs to Victorian Catholic Schools and teachers. This vital partnership with RBGV offers educational experiences to students and professional learning to teachers in Catholic schools, which align with Catholic policies and strategic priorities to improve student achievement, engagement, health and wellbeing, Catholic Identity and teacher capacity. This strategic partnership includes project officers at RBGV, designated to provide liaison, outreach and expert advice and support to Victorian Catholic Schools’
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria acknowledges the support of Catholic Education Melbourne. 


Kids in Nature Network

Kids in Nature Network acts to empower, connect and grow a movement of individuals, families and organisations who are committed to reconnecting children to nature. KINN is a cross-sectoral network of thought-leaders from the health, education, environment, outdoors, community and arts sectors. The network links up key initiatives that promote nature play in order to enhance children’s well-being and development, promote creative play and facilitate connection to the natural world.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria works with Kids in Nature Network by providing unique opportunities for collaboration and capacity building and through open sharing of experiences, ideas and knowledge amongst our members and allies.

Our vision is for all children to have every opportunity to experience, love and look after nature.

Our Work

  • Provide a vital link between groups and organisations who are interested in promoting the child-nature connection for the benefit of children’s well-being and for the re-valuing of nature.
  • Increase the knowledge of families, educators and others involved in the care of children about the crucial role the natural world plays in the lives of children.
  • Change the attitudes and behaviours of those involved in the care of children so they provide children with the time and space to play in nature. Advocate within health, education, urban planning and environment sectors to promote the value of the child and nature relationship.
  • Promote further research into the benefits of children spending time in nature.

Facebook page link


WithOneSeed

WithOneSeed works with communities across Australia and the Asia Pacific region to make environments sustainable, to end poverty and hunger, to build knowledge and to create regional partnerships. RBG partnership is focused on the Carbon Futures school program currently offered at both the Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens.

WithOneSeed website 


Best Start Bush Kinders

City of Casey, Best Start, Windermere’s Communities for Children Cranbourne, Casey Cardinia Library Corporation are collaborating on running the Koorie Kids Bush Playgoup at Cranbourne Gardens.


Resource Smart Schools

The Resource Smart Schools initiative provides schools with the opportunity to demonstrate continuous improvement in their sustainability journey. Students are involved in a range of projects that provide hands on experiences that are integrated into the curriculum and school practices.

Schools are able to follow a path to achieving 5Star rating by completing a ‘Core Module’ and then each of four ‘Resource Modules’ – Water, Waste, Energy and Biodiversity.

For full details please go to: Resource Smart Schools

"The Resource Smart Schools initiative helps schools to become demonstration centres of green technologies and design, linked to sustainable curricula, so that people in all local communities will be motivated to live more sustainably."

The Royal Botanics Gardens Victoria is the States oldest scientific institution with a very long history of documenting and conserving our states and indeed international biodiversity. Today it is one of the states leading organisations in mitigating and adapting to Climate Change. Some of the states most innovative and dramatic water conservation projects are underway at the Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens.

Both Gardens showcase outstanding living collections of plants and plant communities. Research and management activities conducted by the Gardens are leading examples of biodiversity conservation with an international reputation.

Schools participate in water, waste and biodiversity conservation experiences through programs conducted by Education Services at Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens. These activities are designed to inspire students and provide ideas for application back at schools. Indeed many schools have successfully modelled school ground improvements on ideas showcased in the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and the Australian Garden.

Over 500 schools in Victoria have started or completed the Resource Smart Schools process and are celebrating the benefits from contemporary and best practice Education for Sustainability (EfS).
The following principles that define best practice are key to the work of both the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Resource Smart Schools:

  1. Inquiry based learning for the whole school community
  2. Indigenous Learning
  3. Social justice
  4. Student democracy and leadership
  5. Values, civics and faith development
  6. Cultural perspectives
  7. Re-engagement with self, others and nature
  8. Transformative education and learning