Education and Training
Apace designed education programmes are given in Bush Regeneration, Seed Collection, Bushland Appreciation and Organic Gardening. The Bush Regeneration Course was first delivered in 1989.
Apace has always supported students studying horticulture and environmental science at TAFE and University through tours, courses, work experience programmes and casual employment. These activities are centred on the nursery and the Community Gardens.
Introduction to Bush Regeneration
The Apace Introduction to Bush Regeneration Course was first run in 1991. When this course was first perceived there were no bush regenerators in WA. No local council had bush regeneration teams on staff. Friends of Groups and volunteers were only beginning to emerge. It proved to be an invaluable course in providing skills, contacts, resources and as a networking tool for participants. After continually running for 19 years it is still a sought after course, making an impact on the preservation of our bushland. The course is held during late winter and early spring to coincide with the major weed growth and maturation period.
Bushland Appreciation
In 1989 Apace developed the Bushland Appreciation courses for schools. This was perceived as an experiential and interpretive programme for schoolchildren and as a positive response to community concerns over the deteriorating state of the environment. The course helps students acquire an awareness and sensitivity to the natural environment through a series of activities. These activities explore sight, sound, colour, texture and shape, the micro and macro environments and the student's relationship to these sensory aspects of the natural environment.
Seed Collection Course
In 1996 Apace developed a course specifically to assist groups and individuals that are interested in collection of seed for revegetation purposes, but do not know where to start. The Apace course in seed collection helps to equip the participants with the basic skills required to undertake with confidence the collection, processing and storage of quality native seed from various plant community types.
Native seed is a primary resource in the repair and perpetuation of natural ecological systems. Community groups recognise the importance of collecting seed that is of known provenance for revegetation purposes such as propagation for future planting out or for direct seeding programmes.
The course consists of one day of theory and two days practical. The theory session covers the correct use, care and maintenance of tools, seed collection best practice, hygiene, legal requirements and obligations. The planning and execution of a seed collection programme is discussed in detail.
The course is held during late spring and early summer to coincide with the major seed maturation period.
Organic Gardening Course
The organic gardening course is a half day course held at Apace. The course is conducted by long time Apace organic gardener Dennis Tarrant. Who shares 50 years experience as a committed organic gardener with a good smattering of philosophy along the way.
The course covers the art of making compost and how to use it. Crop rotation and how green manuring and composting fit into the 6 year cycle. Dennis also reveals the myths and truths of slaters and nematodes and their part in the natural recycling process. Information is also supplied on salinity tolerance in common vegetables and micronutrients accumulated by some common herbs.
All of this is shared in the classroom and Dennis’s community garden plot.
