Minimal Impact Guidelines for Schools - Parks Victoria

Fires and stovesCamp fires cause impacts on the local environment.Collecting firewood removes habitat for many plants,animals, fungi and bacteria. This in turn takes awayfood sources for other animals and prevents thenutrients being returned to the soil to help the nextgeneration of plants to grow. Camp fires can alsoescape and cause permanent damage to fragileecosystems. Gas fuel stoves burn cleaner, cook yourfood quicker, and their use will help to minimise yourgroup’s impact on the local environment.More informationFor activities in national, state, urban,regional and marine parksParks Victoria information line – 13 1963For activities in state forests and otherCrown landDepartment of Sustainability and Environment –136 186Activities and environmentsParks Victoria provides minimum impact guidelinesfor a range of outdoor activities and environments.Actions School groups must use gas fuel stoves for cooking Fuel stoves should be used in an open area with nosurrounding leaf litter or vegetation On total fire ban days, fuel stoves cannot be used School groups can only have a camp fire if all of thefollowing conditions are met Campfires must be in a designated fireplace.These will either be a metal, brick or concretestructure All firewood and kindling needs to be brought intothe park by the school group. Do not collectfirewood in the park Only light one fire per schoolCyclinghttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_details.cfm?note=28Rock climbing / abseilinghttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_details.cfm?note=20Snorkelling / rock pool rambleshttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_details.cfm?note=31Alpine environmentshttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/14_1113.pdfHorse ridinghttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_details.cfm?note=22 Keep fires small Never light a fire on a hot windy day. It is illegal tolight a fire on a total fire ban day Ensure a teacher monitors the fire at all times Ensure that the fire is out prior to going to bed.Fires need to be extinguished with water – a firecovered by soil can still be alight undergroundOct 2010For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centreon 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au