STAGE 3

Grassy Box Woodland
Guardians of the grassy box woodlands

Australia’s Grassy Box Woodlands are one of the nation’s most endangered ecological communities. Once widespread across south-eastern Australia, these unique ecosystems supported a rich diversity of native plants, animals and other living organisms that worked together to create healthy, resilient landscapes. Today, the remaining woodlands continue to provide essential habitat for wildlife, protect soils and waterways, and support biodiversity across agricultural and natural environments.

This unit provides students with opportunities to investigate Grassy Box Woodland ecosystems through scientific inquiry, geographical investigation and hands-on learning experiences. Students explore the relationships between living and non-living components of ecosystems while developing an understanding of biodiversity, habitat, woodland health and environmental stewardship. Throughout the unit, students investigate how Grassy Box Woodlands function as interconnected ecosystems by identifying native plant communities, assessing woodland health and examining the relationships between plants, animals, soil and water. Using the Grassy Box Woodland Ecosystem Game, students progressively build, investigate, disturb and restore a woodland ecosystem, discovering how changes to one part of the environment influence the health of the whole system.

Students also explore how Grassy Box Woodlands have changed over time by comparing Aboriginal land management with contemporary land use practices. Through field investigations, cultural perspectives and collaborative learning, students examine how caring for Country, sustainable land management and community action contribute to restoring healthy landscapes.

The unit concludes with Every Drop Matters. Restoring the Small Water Cycle, where students discover how healthy vegetation, living soils and biodiversity work together to retain water in the landscape. Students apply their learning by becoming Woodland Guardians, designing practical solutions that support biodiversity, restore ecosystem health and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through observation, collaboration, scientific investigation and critical thinking, students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for Grassy Box Woodlands while recognising that everyone has a role to play in protecting Australia’s natural environments.