Rio Tinto Earth Assist - a partnership between RioTinto and Conservation Volunteers Australia

Get your school involved with Earth Assist

Take a look at our Teachers page to learn about the different programs that Earth Assist offers.

How do the programs work?

Earth Assist is a fully funded (FREE!) program that you can use to complement your students' learning experiences and give them the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom.

We do all the hard work so you get to enjoy your conservation experience with the students.

CVA will liaise with the DEC, councils or shires to identify a suitable conservation project for students, undertake all site risk assessments and preparation, provide all necessary equipment, and pick up students and teachers from their school in the Rio Tinto Earth Assist bus. 

The project is coordinated by a CVA Team Leader with experience and qualifications in environmental science, first aid, opccupational safety and health, defensive driving and the necessary Working with Children Check. After an on site project induction and safety briefing, students will undertake a diverse range of activities which will help to conserve and protect the natural environment. 

Depending on the program, students will participate in a range of practical activities, including:

• Habitat restoration
• Monitoring, evaluation and recording of flora and/or fauna
• Heritage protection
• Flora and fauna surveys
• Erosion and salinity control
• Seed collection
• Dune restoration and coastal activities
• Greenhouse education
• Water monitoring and testing
• Bushland care
• Wetland maintenance
• Debris Collection
• Sustainable practices

What do students gain from the program?

Students receive hands on experience in the environment and learn new ways to contribute to their local community.

Students actively learn about their local parks, wetlands, bushland and coastline, encouraging a greater sense of caring and ownership.

Students obtain a greater sense of pride, ownership and achievement from the project activities, resulting in their ongoing interest in the area and in a high rate of family return visits to the site.

What witll Conservation Volunteers Australia provide?

• Team bus for transportation between the school and project site
• Provision for up to 20 volunteer places per day (staff and students)
• An appropriately trained Team Leader
• If applicable, a project workbook for each student
• If applicable, educational outcomes based on the school curriculum
• Hand tools and personal protective equipment
• Project site risk assessment and OH&S briefing
• Administrative support
• First aid officer and first aid kit
• Project planning

What will teachers gain from the program?

Teachers can use the program in any way they want: to complement the curriculum in their Learning Area, as an incentive, as part of the school's service learning program...it is up to you. Just ask us how we can tailor our program to suit your students. .

 Ready to get started planning your Earth Assist program? Contact us!