VCE Outdoor Environmental Studies – Unit 1

Activity 1

Natural VS Unnatural

What is natural? What is unnatural? Take rabbits for example. Rabbits are mammals that breed prolifically and feed voraciously. Rabbits were introduced to the Australian Environment for the sport of hunting and as a food source in 1859. They compete with native animals for food and habitats and their burrowing and overgrazing contribute to erosion

List 10 other Examples of Natural and Unnatural animals/ plants etc within Australia

Natural / Unnatural
1. / 1.
2. / 2.
3. / 3.
4. / 4.
5. / 5.
6. / 6.
7. / 7.
8. / 8.
9. / 9.
10 / 10

Activity 2

Artificial nature (page 7 new text)

Produce a report on an artificial or simulated environment such as an artificial reef, indoor climbing wall or indoor skiing centre. Include in your report answers to the following questions:

  1. What are some of the reasons someone would construct this type of artificial environment? (Give at least 2 reasons)
  2. Describe/detail a specific example of this type of artificial environment
  3. What are/might be some of the difficulties involved in constructing this type of artificial environment?
  4. What are/might be some of the impacts- good and/or bad – of constructing and using one of these artificial environments?
  5. Would you use one? Why/why not?

Activity 3

Read pages 5 & 6 (old text) and consider the three statements below

“Aboriginal people believe that they are part of nature”

“The early European settlers believed that they were seperate from and superior to nature”

“Contemporary Australians are beginning to understand that they must look after nature in order to have a sustainable future”

1)Explain how you think Aboriginal people lived up to this statement.

2)Explain how you think European settlers lived up to this statement.

3)What are we beginning to see amongst the opinions of contemporary Australians?

4)Using motivations from all parties discuss how you view nature.

Activity 4

Walk into the garden at home or school or visit a public garden or nature reserve. Sit silenty for at least 10 minutes.

  1. Write a list of all things natural in the environment that you are in.
  2. Find your sense of place. Where do you fit in this environment?

Activity 5

1)Write your definition of natural environments.

2)List the five most natural environments that you have visited.

3)List five other natural environments in Victoria

4)On a map of Victoria, mark in these environments