Explore Hillarys Beach and discover the wonderful range of organisms washed up on Perth beaches.

Duration: 1 hour

The role of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is to conserve, develop sustainably and manage the shared use of the State’s aquatic resources and ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations. To do this, DPIRD scientists must understand Western Australia’s coastal ecosystems and the species that inhabit this area.  

In Western Australia we have over 12,500 kilometres of coastline to explore. This coastline varies from sandy beaches to rocky shores to estuaries and is home to a range of unique organisms. Understanding these organisms, and the role they play in coastal ecosystems, is key to ensuring that we do our part to look out for the marine environment.

In this activity, students explore nearby Hillarys beach and collect items they find interesting. During this walk, we also look at the impact humans have on the beach environment- not only the rubbish we leave behind, but also how human activity changes the coastal environment.

We then return to Whitford Nodes Park to identify what students have found. In groups, students will:

  • Learn the primary differences between plants, animals, and algae.
  • Identify the common organisms washed up on Perth’s beaches.
  • Learn interesting facts about the organisms found during their beach walk.

Cost: $5.00 per student

Note: In the event of unfavourable weather, this activity may be run as Hillarys School Excursion: Bringing the Beach to You. All items collected by students will be returned to the beach post-excursion to ensure we leave only our footprints!

Pre-excursion and post-excursion resources:

You can use the related resources below to further explore the flotsam and jetsam of the West Coast bioregion or run a similar activity with your class. Lessons that explore topics covered in this excursion are also linked below.

 

Linked External Resources

Beachcombers Education Kit

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