Exploring Sustainability: Enviro Students Visit Phillip Island

VCE Unit 3 Environmental Science

Unit 3/4 Environmental Science students recently participated in a field trip to Phillip Island, gaining firsthand insight into sustainable development and conservation efforts.

The study began at the San Remo foreshore, where students observed the daily pelican feeding, a long-standing local attraction run by fish and chip shop operators. This raised an important discussion about wildlife sustainability, as students debated the economic benefits of tourism driven by the feeding versus the potential risk of pelicans becoming dependent on human-provided food sources.

Other sites visited included the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Reserve, and The Nobbies, where students observed wildlife and explored habitat conservation initiatives. A highlight of the trip was seeing the Little Penguins up close, a reminder of the ongoing success of local conservation efforts. Students also heard from the park ranger, who shared valuable insights into the environmental management strategies used to protect local ecosystems and the historical transformation of the Summerland Peninsula.

Sustainability was the major theme of the trip, with a visit to the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant offering a deeper understanding of water recycling and the circular economy in action. Students learned how wastewater is treated, recycled for practical use, and safely returned to the environment, highlighting the importance of sustainable resource management in real-world settings.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which not only brought environmental science concepts to life but also inspired them to think critically about the future of conservation and sustainability.