Interested in hosting a Nature Stewards course?

VNPA’s Nature Stewards Program is a multi-week course that connects curious people with their local and wider habitats. Our mission is to promote environmental literacy and stewardship of nature through discovery, action, and ongoing learning through the themes of Curiosity, Confidence, Contribution, Community, and Connection. The program also directly supports participants in training and volunteering, generating benefits for the wider community and the environment. 

Our content and curriculum are developed and delivered by leading scientists, conservation experts, Traditional Owners, and environmental educators. We’ve now run over 45 programs with local councils (and other hosts) across Victoria for over 750 participants, featuring amazing expert facilitators, field trips and guest presenters. 

 

The Nature Stewards course has been an incredibly enriching experience. It has not only deepened my understanding of our environment but also ignited a passion for conservation and community engagement.

– Kyoko, Nature Stewards graduate, Spring 2024

 

Courses run at various locations throughout the state. A typical course runs for 10 sessions, and generally, courses run during the autumn (March – June) and spring (September – Dec). If you’re interested in a shorter (6 week) course, or running a course during another season, contact the Nature Stewards coordinator to discuss.

How to become a Nature Stewards host webinar series

If you are interested in learning more about how your council or organisation can get involved as a local host, we’re holding a quarterly webinar series. Our first informative session (March 2025) introduced the program, covering off on:

  • Program overview
  • Insights from one of the program’s current hosts – City of Greater Geelong
  • Q&A session with our development officer, program coordinator and current host

You can view the session in full, and read a summary of the Q+A session below.

Q+A

Can my organisation co-host with another?

Yes, we encourage collaboration and co-funding where possible to share hosting program costs and resources and have had a number of programs hosted in partnership by multiple LGA’s. For example, you might want to focus your course around a jointly-managed waterway, or partner with adjoining councils. Some council-funded courses been supported financially and in-kind from local environmental organisations e.g. through sponsoring participants, providing equipment/other resources.

Does the course have to run on Saturdays?

No, as part of the initial course planning we discuss what day/s and times would best suit your target audience. We have run courses on weekends, weekdays, and online/hybrid (e.g. online classes with face-to-face field sessions).

Is the course only for over 18’s?

Most of our courses are run for adults. There are extra considerations for running a course with under 18’s or in a school setting. If this is something you’re interested in knowing more about, please get in touch.

If you’d like to know more about hosting a course or to express interest in hosting during the next season, please contact [email protected]

Partners supporters and funders

Partners and Supporters

Local Hosts & Program Funders