2026 YEL forum dates

YEL forums will be held each term in the Murraylands and Riverland areas. Information about locations and topics, along with the registration link, will be shared on this page and emailed to schools at least 3 weeks prior to each forum. To secure places, schools need to register their YEL group for each forum.

Term 1 Murraylands

Precious Plants and Pollinators

Thursday 19 March 2026
10am - 2pm
Pangarinda Botanic Garden - Pangarinda Drive, Wellington East, SA

Learn about important pollinators and flowering plants, get hands-on making bee hotels and insect watering stations, and prepare your very own “Precious Plants” sessions for your school’s precious people!

The term 1 YEL Forum will have you leading the way right into the new school year!

Register your school

For more information please contact Rosheen Blumson; rosheen.blumson@sa.gov.au or 0429 595 650

Term 1 Riverland

Precious Plants and Pollinators

Wednesday 25 March 2026
10am - 2pm
Loxton Community Conservation & Heritage Park, Bookpurnong Road Loxton

Learn about important pollinators and flowering plants. Make bee hotels, insect watering stations and prepare your very own “Precious Plants” sessions for your school’s precious people!

The term 1 YEL Forum will have you leading the way right into the new school year!

Students will participate in hands-on activities and learn about the importance of pollinators and help educate others as part of our 2026 Precious Plants Program.

Register your school

For more information please contact Cindy Kakoschke on 0429 413 074 or cindy.kakoschke@sa.gov.au

✅⭐🏆YEL benefits

The YEL program provides many benefits to the students, teachers and mentors.

✏️🖇️Curriculum connection

The information and activities presented at YEL forums link to various curriculum subject areas including science, HASS, geography, health and physical education, and even maths. YEL activities tie in well with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Environmental issues, often complex, require innovative solutions. The Education team encourages hands-on practical activities that enable learners to experiment, use new technologies, test ideas, and create innovative solutions to real problems. The YEL Program supports students to become curious about their local landscapes, helping to develop environmentally responsible leaders.

In both STEM and sustainability, relationships with local industries and communities play a crucial role in teacher and student learning. YEL contributes to the development of these relationships through expert guest speakers and linking with existing projects.

Links to general capabilities

  • Literacy skills

    These are developed by students presenting ideas and opinions, through sharing their learning back at school and within their wider community.

  • Critical and creative thinking

    Developed when students consider environmental issues and propose and investigate solutions.

  • Personal and social capability

    Developed through interacting with students from different schools, working in teams, and developing leadership skills.

  • Ethical understanding

    Developed by students engaging and discussing the ethical values of environmental issues such as climate change and sustainable living.

Cross-curriculum priorities - sustainability

📢❗🚨Safety

Permissions

Schools are responsible for obtaining parent permission for students to attend and travel to/from YEL forums. ALL YEL attendees (both adult and student) will need to provide a signed photo consent form - refer to page 13-14.

Safety at YEL forums

The main goal of YEL forums is to engage students in hands-on projects and activities outdoors in the environment and in the community. Excursion approvals, risk assessment and safety of students is the responsibility of the school and supervising adults in attendance. Education program staff work to provide a safe environment for all YEL attendees. All staff have current senior first aid, mental health first aid, WWCC and RRAHN-EC.

A general risk assessment will be provided to schools prior to each forum with details specific to that event. Schools are invited to use this information to inform required risk assessment.

🌤️ Weather

Weather checks and alternative locations will be provided in the lead up to YEL forums to ensure the best action is taken. YEL forums will be canceled in advance if extreme or catastrophic weather is forecast.

🤝 External providers

Where external providers are used to provide activities (including but not limited to boat rides, kayaking, live animals and walking tours), safety information and instruction will be as per the providers policies and adhered to by attendees.

🦺 Clothing/PPE

All YEL attendees are asked to wear sturdy enclosed shoes to all forums and to dress appropriately for the weather on the day. Hats are essential and sunscreen will be provided. Long pants are preferred and will be required at some locations. Attendees not wearing required clothing will not be able to participate in activities. Personal protective clothing or equipment (including safety glasses and gloves etc) will be provided as required for activities/projects.

🛠️Tools and equipment

Where an activity calls for the use of tools (including shovels, trowels, rakes etc), a safety briefing will be provided prior to use and supervising adults including Education program staff will assist in supervision during the activity.