Home/Curriculum resources/Working in the community /Activity 2 – Healthy country healthy people
Learning Area:
Health and Physical Education
Year levels:
Level 9, Level 10
Activity 2 – Healthy country healthy people
This activity is a part of the Working in the community resource.
Waterfall in Kings Canyon, Watarrka, Northern Territory. Source: Getty Images. Used under licence
Suggested resources
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Local animal guide
As a class, compile a list of common animals you know from your area into a table for use in the next activity. Keep this basic, for example ‘freshwater turtle’, ‘blue tongue lizard’, ‘galah’.
Step 2: Explore your area
Use the Explore Your Area tool on the Atlas of Living Australia website: https://biocache.ala.org.au/explore/your-area#-33.8883|151.1227|12|ALL_SPECIES to explore the list of species from your area. Some records may be very old.
Discuss: do you think this many species still exist here today? Why or why not?
Step 3: Research Rangers in your community
Research rangers in your local community, or nearest national park
What Traditional Owner groups does this place belong to?
What challenges do they face in this area, e.g. pests, vandalism, pollution?
Step 4: Discussion Questions
How do you use your nearby national parks and areas? Discuss the relationship between the health of natural areas and how people use them for their own health and enjoyment.
Indigenous rangers and Traditional Owners have an inherent responsibility to look after their country and respect other people’s country. Discuss how this might be part of their identity.
What is your own responsibility to the place you live, both to the land and water and to the community?
How can you encourage people in your community to look after their natural areas?
Related activities within this resources:
Activity 1 – Rangers and identity
Students will watch and read to learn about the role of Rangers on country and their impact on community, and connection to place.
Activity 3 – Caring for our water places
Students will explore your local waterhole or another natural area through the eyes of a ranger. If it is not possible to visit, the class can discuss previous experiences.