Environmental Education Courses 2026 | Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve

Gluepot Reserve is OPEN. Gluepot has received an unprecedented 155mm of rain in March. Some tracks are rocky and washed out. Drive to conditions. The only access is via Lunn Road, despite what your electronic navigation system tells you.

Environmental Education Courses 2026

2026 Education Courses information

Gluepot Reserve is pleased to be able to provide an annual programme of short courses over a weekend on subjects relevant to the flora and fauna on the reserve. The courses for the current year are listed below. If you miss out, or are unable to attend this year, look out for the programme for next year.

Setting the scene

All courses are held at Birdlife’s Gluepot Reserve, and although accommodation is available at Waikerie, it is 64km away (1hr 15 min travel). We suggest camping at the Reserve with camping grounds having spacious sites, toilets, but power is not available. Public dirt roads are 2WD accessible (with good ground clearance) in dry conditions.

For additional information on Gluepot please access the website including –

https://gluepot.org/visit-us/visitor-services-information/

https://gluepot.org/visit-us/camping-information/

Cost of courses

The cost of each two-day course is $150.00 plus booking fee and this includes: GST, morning teas, camping fees and any course hand-out materials. Courses generally commence at 9:00 on the Saturday so it is suggested that course participants try to arrive at Gluepot on the Friday afternoon. Courses finish mid-afternoon on the Sunday and course participants are welcome to stay on the Reserve following the completion of courses.

Course cancellation policy – a refund will be given if 15 days notice is provided. Management reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice due to unexpected issues, such as a heavy rain event. If this occurs a refund will be given.

A reminder notice will be sent to all registered participants one month prior to your course date containing additional information on any specific requirements and additional details on camping at Gluepot. New bookings can continue up to a week prior to the scheduled time.

The Following Environmental Education Courses Are Available in 2026

An Introduction to Bird Banding
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJI
29 & 30 August 2026 Facilitator: Luke Ireland Luke has supported bird banding on Gluepot Reserve for many years and is currently working as a senior research officer with Difficult Bird Research Group. He has a strong passion for the conservation of threatened birds and their habitats and is particularly interested in how we can apply learnings to achieve practical management outcomes. If you are interested in birds and would like to learn more about how to study them, this course will show you how. In addition to our classroom work, you will spend most of your time in the field learning how and where to set bird mist nets. You will be able to see birds up close and experience the excitement of determining the species, age and sex of birds and will be shown the fine details that determined correct identification. You will also learn the correct method for banding, weighting, measuring and data collection for each bird caught. Importantly, you will learn about the vital role that banding plays in bird research.

An Introduction to Bird Banding

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJI

29 & 30 August 2026

Facilitator: Luke Ireland
Luke has supported bird banding on Gluepot Reserve for many years and is currently working as a senior research officer with Difficult Bird Research Group. He has a strong passion for the conservation of threatened birds and their habitats and is particularly interested in how we can apply learnings to achieve practical management outcomes.

If you are interested in birds and would like to learn more about how to study them, this course will show you how. In addition to our classroom work, you will spend most of your time in the field learning how and where to set bird mist nets. You will be able to see birds up close and experience the excitement of determining the species, age and sex of birds and will be shown the fine details that determined correct identification. You will also learn the correct method for banding, weighting, measuring and data collection for each bird caught. Importantly, you will learn about the vital role that banding plays in bird research.

Nature Painting
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJQ
5 & 6 September 2026 Facilitator: Wendy Jennings Wendy Jennings was formally a medical laboratory technologist, who became a self-taught wildlife artist, learning her skills living in remote National Parks in Australia. Since 1981 she has shown her love of nature in exhibitions around the country and overseas, and delights in passing on her knowledge to anyone regardless of their present skills. Bringing nature to life in front of your eyes. If you’ve ever had the desire to paint or draw our wonderful birds, mammals, plants or insects, then this is the course for you. This two-day workshop is open to everyone regardless of their painting experience. A variety of techniques using watercolour, gouache, acrylic, pen and pencil will be explored. At the end of this workshop you will have found a style that suits you and lots of examples to remind you of technique.

Nature Painting

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJQ

5 & 6 September 2026

Facilitator: Wendy Jennings
Wendy Jennings was formally a medical laboratory technologist, who became a self-taught wildlife artist, learning her skills living in remote National Parks in Australia. Since 1981 she has shown her love of nature in exhibitions around the country and overseas, and delights in passing on her knowledge to anyone regardless of their present skills.

Bringing nature to life in front of your eyes. If you’ve ever had the desire to paint or draw our wonderful birds, mammals, plants or insects, then this is the course for you. This two-day workshop is open to everyone regardless of their painting experience. A variety of techniques using watercolour, gouache, acrylic, pen and pencil will be explored. At the end of this workshop you will have found a style that suits you and lots of examples to remind you of technique.

Mallee Vegetation at Gluepot
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJW
19 & 20 September 2026 Facilitator: Mitchell Livingston Mitchell is the Seed Bank Manager for Trees for Life SA and has previously worked for the Department of Environment and Water. He is a passionate seed collector and conservationist. His experience working in arid environments and rehabilitation projects underpins his role within the current revegetation program at Gluepot’s Sandy Dam. During the weekend you will be familiarised with a range of Mallee species and plant groups with suggested strategies to help identify plants in the field. Gluepot has a range of Mallee vegetation associations with over 200 species recorded. These are some of the most remarkable in the world with characteristics that allow them to flourish in poor soils, extremes of temperature, fire and drought.

Mallee Vegetation at Gluepot

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJW

19 & 20 September 2026

Facilitator: Mitchell Livingston
Mitchell is the Seed Bank Manager for Trees for Life SA and has previously worked for the Department of Environment and Water. He is a passionate seed collector and conservationist. His experience working in arid environments and rehabilitation projects underpins his role within the current revegetation program at Gluepot’s Sandy Dam.

During the weekend you will be familiarised with a range of Mallee species and plant groups with suggested strategies to help identify plants in the field. Gluepot has a range of Mallee vegetation associations with over 200 species recorded. These are some of the most remarkable in the world with characteristics that allow them to flourish in poor soils, extremes of temperature, fire and drought.

Birdwatching Basics and Beyond
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJY
26 & 27 September 2026 Facilitator: Ian Kerr Ian was trained in wildlife ecology at Sydney University and started serious birdwatching in 1980, developing extensive bird surveying experience over the years. As a science teacher/head teacher for more than three decades he was passionate about teaching biology, ecology, chemistry and many different birdwatching courses to a variety of age groups. Ian has conducted the Introduction to Birdwatching course at Gluepot over the past few years. Birdwatching Basics and Beyond is a two-day course that guides participants through the techniques and knowledge needed to enhance bird identification skills. Whether a novice or an experienced birder you should improve your skills, and enhance enjoyment and satisfaction in this fast-growing outdoor activity. The workshop combines theory, practical learning and expert tips focussing on the special Mallee bird species found at Gluepot. There will be guided field trips at some of the best birding locations on the Reserve. Course begins at 7am both mornings with a break in the middle of the day

Birdwatching Basics and Beyond

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTJY

26 & 27 September 2026

Facilitator: Ian Kerr
Ian was trained in wildlife ecology at Sydney University and started serious birdwatching in 1980, developing extensive bird surveying experience over the years. As a science teacher/head teacher for more than three decades he was passionate about teaching biology, ecology, chemistry and many different birdwatching courses to a variety of age groups. Ian has conducted the Introduction to Birdwatching course at Gluepot over the past few years.

Birdwatching Basics and Beyond is a two-day course that guides participants through the techniques and knowledge needed to enhance bird identification skills. Whether a novice or an experienced birder you should improve your skills, and enhance enjoyment and satisfaction in this fast-growing outdoor activity. The workshop combines theory, practical learning and expert tips focussing on the special Mallee bird species found at Gluepot. There will be guided field trips at some of the best birding locations on the Reserve.
Course begins at 7am both mornings with a break in the middle of the day

Producing Art Images from Gluepot’s Environment
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKE
17 & 18 October 2026 Facilitator: John Whitney Drawing is John’s main love; in the medium of pen and ink, coloured pencils and pastels. John has been involved in many art projects, having been an “Artist in Residence” at some eighty schools throughout the state; doing murals, drawing workshops, painting poles, printmaking and sculpture. John continues to exhibit with his latest exhibition at Signal Point in May 2026. Additional information via John’s website: johnwhitney.com.au Both days will begin with observational drawing of the local flora and fauna using a whole range of techniques and mediums. If weather permits “en plein air” or outdoors will be prioritised. An opportunity to enjoy simple printing of found objects through rubbings, frottage and relief printing on one day and extending your sketches into large scale drawings will be the focus on the other.

Producing Art Images from Gluepot’s Environment

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKE

17 & 18 October 2026

Facilitator: John Whitney
Drawing is John’s main love; in the medium of pen and ink, coloured pencils and pastels. John has been involved in many art projects, having been an “Artist in Residence” at some eighty schools throughout the state; doing murals, drawing workshops, painting poles, printmaking and sculpture. John continues to exhibit with his latest exhibition at Signal Point in May 2026. Additional information via John’s website: johnwhitney.com.au

Both days will begin with observational drawing of the local flora and fauna using a whole range of techniques and mediums. If weather permits “en plein air” or outdoors will be prioritised. An opportunity to enjoy simple printing of found objects through rubbings, frottage and relief printing on one day and extending your sketches into large scale drawings will be the focus on the other.

Getting to Know Reptiles
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKG
17 & 8 November 2026 Facilitator: Mark Hutchinson Mark was the Senior Researcher in Herpetology at the South Australian Museum, and following retirement has continued there as an Honorary Researcher. He has a special interest in the diversity and evolution of reptiles and amphibians, and his work has included mentoring research by University of Adelaide students carrying out research on reptiles at Gluepot Reserve. A two-day course on the basics of observing and identifying lizards and snakes in arid environments. It is aimed at anyone who has an interest in observing nature and would like to improve their abilities in finding and identifying reptiles. The course will include a lecture on lizard and snake essentials, especially the roles that temperature and humidity play in determining activity levels. Also, a workshop on identification and how to best use the reference resources that are available as books and on-line. Day and night walks to get familiar with the basics of encountering reptiles in the field.

Getting to Know Reptiles

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKG

17 & 8 November 2026

Facilitator: Mark Hutchinson
Mark was the Senior Researcher in Herpetology at the South Australian Museum, and following retirement has continued there as an Honorary Researcher. He has a special interest in the diversity and evolution of reptiles and amphibians, and his work has included mentoring research by University of Adelaide students carrying out research on reptiles at Gluepot Reserve.

A two-day course on the basics of observing and identifying lizards and snakes in arid environments. It is aimed at anyone who has an interest in observing nature and would like to improve their abilities in finding and identifying reptiles. The course will include a lecture on lizard and snake essentials, especially the roles that temperature and humidity play in determining activity levels. Also, a workshop on identification and how to best use the reference resources that are available as books and on-line. Day and night walks to get familiar with the basics of encountering reptiles in the field.

Insects at Gluepot
https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKJ
20 & 21 March 2027 Facilitators: Dave Georg and Margaret Evans Dave and Margaret majored in entomology while studying Agricultural Science at Adelaide University. Margaret went on to complete Honours at Adelaide University and a PhD at Queensland University - both in entomology. In the past few years, they have developed a collection of preserved insect specimens from Gluepot, which is available in the Gluepot Library for study by researchers and enthusiasts. They have been important team members in studying the Looper moth infestation on Gluepot. Participants will learn about the importance of invertebrates as well as the life cycles, orders and identification of insects. There will be plenty of hands-on opportunities, including in-door (preserving and identifying specimens) and in the field using a variety of collection methods, including - pitfall and light trapping, sweep netting and soil sieving. Andrew Humpage will treat us with insights on how best to photograph invertebrates (particularly during the night-walk). All of these activities contribute to cataloguing and understanding the wide variety of invertebrates within our Mallee ecosystems. The establishment of pitfall traps and a light trap is planned for Friday evening. - Those who can attend are invited to participate.

Insects at Gluepot

https://www.trybooking.com/DKTKJ

20 & 21 March 2027
Facilitators: Dave Georg and Margaret Evans
Dave and Margaret majored in entomology while studying Agricultural Science at Adelaide University. Margaret went on to complete Honours at Adelaide University and a PhD at Queensland University - both in entomology. In the past few years, they have developed a collection of preserved insect specimens from Gluepot, which is available in the Gluepot Library for study by researchers and enthusiasts. They have been important team members in studying the Looper moth infestation on Gluepot.

Participants will learn about the importance of invertebrates as well as the life cycles, orders and identification of insects. There will be plenty of hands-on opportunities, including in-door (preserving and identifying specimens) and in the field using a variety of collection methods, including - pitfall and light trapping, sweep netting and soil sieving. Andrew Humpage will treat us with insights on how best to photograph invertebrates (particularly during the night-walk). All of these activities contribute to cataloguing and understanding the wide variety of invertebrates within our Mallee ecosystems.
The establishment of pitfall traps and a light trap is planned for Friday evening. - Those who can attend are invited to participate.

Contact details
For additional information please contact:
Bronwyn Mart
0488777248
gibbart@bigpond.com