Spring has arrived, bringing with it longer days, blooming flowers and the chance to get back outdoors more often and reconnect with the natural world.

For schools, September is the perfect time to engage students with hands-on activities that highlight the importance of biodiversity and inspire them to care for the environment. By weaving nature into classroom and outdoor learning, schools can nurture curiosity and build lifelong connections to the web of life. Here’s some ideas to get you started.

Create a biodiversity garden

Planting a garden is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to bring nature into your school. Choose native plants that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, or shrubs and trees that provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Even small container gardens or recycled planters can transform schoolyards and balconies into thriving habitats. Gardening projects also provide practical opportunities to link with science and sustainability curriculum outcomes.

Explore the ‘web of life’

Biodiversity is all about connections, whether that’s between plants, animals, people, or all of the above. Interactive activities such as food chain games, scavenger hunts, or outdoor walks to observe seasonal changes help students see these links in action. Encouraging children to notice insects on flowers, birds in trees or fungi in damp soil can spark discussions about how each organism has a role to play in the ecosystem.

Bring indigenous knowledge into the classroom

First Nations communities have long observed the changing seasons and their impact on plants and animals. Many Indigenous seasonal calendars differ from the European four-season model, reflecting the unique rhythms of Country. Spring is often recognised as a time of renewal, growth and abundance. Exploring local Indigenous knowledge about land care and ecology, preferably in consultation with local Elders or using trusted resources, can provide students with deeper and more culturally respectful perspectives on the environment.

Get involved in citizen science

Spring is also the perfect time to take part in citizen science projects. Programs like the Aussie Bird Count (October) and FrogID invite students to contribute real data to national research. These initiatives not only support scientific understanding of biodiversity but also give students a sense of ownership and pride in contributing to conservation efforts.

Encourage small wins

This September, encourage your school to take one small step to celebrate biodiversity, whether it’s planting a native shrub, running a nature walk, or signing up for a citizen science project. Each action helps students develop a stronger connection to the natural world and reinforces the message that we are all part of the web of life.