Visiting a Forest with Your Students
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When studying the topic of forests and forestry, visiting a forest will give students hands-on experiences that cannot be equalled in the classroom. South Australia has many forests and reserves that can be visited by school groups. Visiting a forest will increase students’
understanding and appreciation of forests. This page offers suggestions on preparing for and organising a successful visit to a forest.
Visits to South Australian forests might be to:
- a native forest to experience conservation management, or
- plantations of radiata pine or blue gums to experience commercial forestry.
Contact the Forest Ranger or land manager before your intended visit. Different forest managers have specific rules about visiting their forests. Most private forests, for example, are not usually available to visit. Forest managers care about your safety and close forests during periods of fire risk and forest operations. Depending on the activities you have planned, a permit may be required.
Prior to visiting a forest
Discuss the following questions with the students, with reference to the photos in the Photo File:
- What would you expect to find in a forest?
- How can you tell if something is natural or made by humans?
- Who works in a forest? Who uses forests?
- What threats do forests face in Australia and around the world?
Things to remember
- Hats, sunscreen and cold or wet weather protection.
- Safety rules for students.
- Digital camera to record your visit.
- Field guides to fauna and flora species.
- Clipboards, paper, pens and pencils.
Whilst in the forest
- Talk about the natural and built features of the forest.
- Ask questions about the forest and its surroundings.
- Identify and describe objects found in the forest.
- Identify whether the forest is native or has been planted.
- Record information about the forest, including:
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- The colours that can be seen.
- Observing how birds, insects and other animals use trees for food and shelter.
- Recording, listing and categorising the plants and trees that grow there.
- The buildings and facilities located within the forest.
- The different areas within the forest.
- Encourage children to observe, touch, smell, listen to and feel forest plants.
- Locate and identify the different parts of a tree.
- Locate and identify native fauna and evidence of native fauna in the forest.
- Locate and identify introduced animals and evidence of introduced animals in the forest.
Useful Contacts
ForestrySA (Forest Reserves)
- Mt Crawford (08) 8521 1700
- Kuitpo (08) 8391 8800
- Wirrabara/Bundaleer (08) 8668 4163
- South East (08) 8724 2888
Department for Environment and Heritage (National Conservation Parks)
- Belair (08) 8278 5477
- Cleland (08) 8339 2444
- Mt Remarkable (08) 8634 7068
Other Forest Owners
www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/useful_links
If visiting a forest reserve or conservation park is not possible, perhaps organise a visit to local
wetlands, parks, reserves or bush areas.
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestrymatters/about_the_forestry_matters!_resource/visiting_a_forest_with_your_students
- Page Last Modified: November 15, 2011