Kent St Senior High School science teachers took Year 7 students on two field trips to Jirdarup in May 2024 to learn about the importance of bushland areas in the city to provide habitat and foster biodiversity. Students spent time making observations and taking pictures to later identify species of plants, animals and fungi found in the bushland.

It was a valuable experience for all, with many students not having been to the bushland before, despite it being in walking distance from the school. Here are some of their reflections and photos.

From Zoe

The Jirdarup bushland was a really fun experience! We saw so much wildlife and it was a really beautiful place. 100% recommend.

From Matilda:

As Year 7’s in Kent Street we conducted a field trip to the Jirdarup Bushland, this area was great with people walking dogs, people eating lunch and animals and plants. This was so cool for us to see and the drinking station for the birds. In this place it doesn’t matter who or what you are, it’s a place we connect, a place untouched.

From Oscar:

Jirdarup Bushland is a beautiful place. There’s lots of different trees which are really beautiful. It’s a gorgeous place if we actually appreciate the nature that surrounds us. I really loved going there and looking at the different trees and animals. It made me feel really connected to nature and it made me happy and calm. Some people go there and don’t take time to appreciate that it’s there, but they really should. Imagine a world without trees that we currently have. You can’t! That’s because the beautiful trees that we have around us make the Earth the beautiful place it is. More people should definitely go to the Jirdarup Bushland because it’s an amazing place. With people cutting trees and ruining habitats for animals, the Jirdarup Bushland is an important place, because its home to lots of animals that could go extinct. Don’t forget to go there and experience the beauty of nature.

 We first went to the bushland for a school field trip. I wasn’t expecting much, I just thought it would be a normal experience. It was super fun walking around and looking at the wildlife! When I went home, I became super excited for the second time we would go. Because of this field trip it is now a casual hangout spot for us. It was the most beautiful, pristine bushland that we had seen. We love the Jirdarup Bushland!

 When I was first told about the Jirdarup bushland I didn’t think much of it but when I got there I loved it. I had never seen such a beautiful preserved bush in Perth. I loved seeing all of the animals and plants in the bush, I also got some really good pictures of birds. Overall I would go back to Jirdarup to get some peace and learn more about it.”

From Nasreen

Jirdarup bushland had a lot of different plants to look at. It was very intriguing and interesting to look around and see many different organisms. It was very biodiverse. My favourite plant was the Banksia.

From all of us who love Jirdarup, thank you Sarah Malacari. Thanks Year 7 for your photos.