WHITTLESEA, VIC. — The Nature Stewards course is back, inviting residents to feed their curiosity and passion for nature through a 10-week journey into the natural world.
Delivered by the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) and supported by Council, this hands-on program is a great way to gain knowledge and practical skills, while meeting like-minded people in your local community. Discover valuable insights into local animal and plant life, geology, soils and river systems in this region.
Participants can feel empowered to turn curiosity into real, impactful change. Local resident, Suneeti (Suni) Sharma, completed the course in 2023 and now runs the Whittlesea Climate Action Network.
“I was already drawn to nature, capturing trees, birds and flowers on my phone and spending mindful time outdoors but Nature Stewards gave that connection a deeper meaning,” Suni said.
“I had recently moved to Australia and started working in the climate space, and I wanted to better understand the local biodiversity so I could genuinely contribute to the community.
“What stood out most was the sense of co-learning. I was surrounded by people who had lived here for years, yet everyone was learning together.
“One of the most valuable lessons I received was that you don’t need to know everything to work with nature…that mindset gave me confidence. I would encourage others to take the time to do this course, step outdoors, learn mindfully, and leave the rest to nature.”
Registration is open and will run each Saturday from September 12 to November 28, 2026.
Places are limited. Express your interest today by visiting the Victorian National Parks Association website.
