Invasive plant (weed) and animal education

Children are our future land managers. By providing invasive plant and invasive animal management education in schools, we can:

• give students the opportunity to participate in the real-life application of biological sciences and geographical skills
• give students with the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions as future land managers
• build the capacity of the wider community to deal with invasive plant and animal issues as students learn and influence their families
• open students' eyes to the wide range of careers in environmental and invasive species management.

Resources are available to develop students' understanding of invasive plant and animal issues, and build their skills to identify and manage these species. The resources are linked to the Queensland curriculum and provide background information to assist teachers.

Invasive animal educational resource

Invasive animals are an exciting classroom topic. Because invasive animals can damage our economy, environment, health and natural resources, they provide an opportunity to explore many other related issues.

We all have a part to play in managing the impacts of invasive animals, as our pets and farm animals have the potential to escape and become pests.

The pest patrol activity book teaches students about the dangers invasive animals pose to our native wildlife, domestic pets and farming communities. It is aimed at students aged 7–10 years and contains a series of activities that students can complete with or without supervision. It also includes a teachers' resource guide that contains lessons that can be conducted in the classroom or playground.

Download the pest patrol activity book (PDF, 4.2MB)

Invasive plant (weed) educational resources

The study of weeds provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage in applied science in the classroom, the field and through the internet. Weedbusters provides a strong platform for understanding the effects of invasive plants on biodiversity, the costs to primary production and on people's health and way of life.

These resources will help new generations of Weedbusters learn about invasive plants and their impacts, and what to do about them.

Queensland Weedbuster resources

The Weedbuster activity book is aimed at children aged 7–12 years and teaches the importance of identifying and controlling invasive plants. It contains creative activities to help identify and manage the spread of invasive plants.

Download the Weedbuster activity book (PDF, 5MB)

Invasive fish education resource

Exotic fish are fish that are not native to Australia. Once they are released into our waterways, they then become invasive fish and outcompete with our native species. Although some exotic fish, snails and plants can be kept in private aquariums, it is illegal to release them into the native environment because of the serious negative impacts they can have on the environment.

The invasive fish activity book teaches children about the impacts of invasive fish to our native fish and waterways. It is targeted at students aged 7–10 years.

Download the invasive fish activity book (PDF, 3MB)

Additional resources are available from Pest Tales, a resource for primary school teachers that highlights pest animal species in Australia.

Mission Biosecurity interactive digital resources

Mission Biosecurity is a collection of interactive digital resources including online quizzes, short videos and podcasts showcasing the importance of biosecurity and encouraging people to take appropriate action to manage biosecurity risks in their environment, communities and on their properties.

Mission Biosecurity resources are suited to an older audience including high school and university students.