juniorrangers.com.au Where Are the Alpine National Parks? If you are going to the snow somewhere in this winter it is likely you will be in or surrounded by a National Park. Below is a map of them all. Which one are you visiting?

Mt Buffalo National Park

The Horn (Mt Buffalo) Mt Bogong

Falls Creek Alpine Alpine Resort National Park Yarra Ranges Mt Hotham National Park Alpine Resort

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort Errindundra National Park Snowy River National Park

Parks and Reserves Gunnaikurnai joint managed parks State Forest & Other Public Land Errindundra Marine Parks & Reserves National Park District Bounary Snowy River

Mt Baw Baw Mt Baw Baw National Park

juniorrangers.com.au Find the names of 6 Alpine National Parks in the word scramble below.

Snowy River, , , Alpine, Yarra Ranges, Errinundra

1 2 3 abtma bwou nw Ionfmuaoblnf aipeln M___t ___ _a_ _o___ _u____o A____e

4 5 6 gynaraearsr eniarrdunrn niowesvryr _a_ra _____s _r______a ____y R____ born to ALPINE RIVERS explore. & CREEKS. As you drive up the Junior Rangers are born to explore. If mountain write down the you have an interest names of each creek or in nature, animals river you cross: and the outdoors then Junior Rangers is for you. Junior Ranger activities are led by a park ranger and are designed to get children outdoors, have fun and learn about Victoria’s wonderful parks. Ranger led activities are available during school holidays in many parks across the state. Junior Ranger activities that you can do anytime with your family in a park are also available, as well as animal fact files, games and other environmental activities. Visit juniorrangers.com.au for more information.

juniorrangers.com.au Mountains; Water Towers of Victoria. is the driest inhabited continent on earth, but our mountains are like water towers storing large amounts of water over the winter months in snow and ice. Rain and snowmelt is also stored in alpine soils and vegetation, particularly in alpine wetland communities also, called peatlands or moss beds, and released slowly into creeks and rivers over the summer months. Draw in and name the streams that you saw on the way up. You might like to colour in the picture below as well.

Rain and Snow Wind

Headwaters Water of River evaporates from Earths surface

Alpine Wetland Mountain Stream

River Source: Eduction Kit www.theaustralianalps.wordpress.com juniorrangers.com.au WHAT IS SNOW? Snow is made up of ice crystals that form when water vapour freezes in the clouds. Ice crystals can take on many interesting, beautiful and unique shapes. Why not try making one?

1 FOLD 2 FOLD AGAIN

3 CUT SHAPES 4 UNFOLD YOUR AROUND THE EDGES SNOWFLAKE !

juniorrangers.com.au How Do Plants and Animals Survive IN the Cold?

Plants and animals have developed special ways of surviving called ‘adaptation’ that make them different to animals and plants in other parts of Australia and the world.

1 2 3

Some migrate to Staying small helps Being flexible, like this warmer areas, some plants avoid high Snow Gum means like the Flame Robin. winds, like the Marsh plants don’t break Marigold that flowers under the weight of under the snow. the snow.

4 Become a Citizen Scientist

Look for, Currawongs, Wombats, Lyrebirds, Flame Robins, & Gang Gang Cockatoos. Take a photo and upload to: https://www.inaturalist.org to help scientists and park managers Some animals understand when and where these hibernate during animals occur. the winter, like the Mountain Pygmy Possum. juniorrangers.com.au How Do Plants and Mountain Pygmy Animals Survive IN the Cold? Possum Facts.

• Possums live up high; 1400m & • The snow cover over the boulders above (also known as altitude). also provides an important protective layer, called insulation, Hibernation usually occurs between which locks in heat. April and September. • Possums feed mainly on the high • During winter they put on large energy that takes amounts of fat and roll into a ball refuge in the cool rock crevices of Look for the Tunnel to conserve heat. the boulder fields. This is called of Love; an artificial • They live within the boulder fields Aestivation. on the , boulder field under Mt Hotham and Mt Buller. the Mt Hotham road Mountain Pygmy Possum Family Word Find.

Circle the words below found in the puzzle B N I R D A F P A H

Aestivate O M N E R E K D L I ALTITUDE G F S F C S F I T B BOGONG BOULDER O B U U O T C O I E

CONSERVE N O L G N I R M T R CREVICE G U A E S V E O U N HIBERNATE V L T W E A V T D A INSULATION

MOTH X D I S R T I H E T REFUGE M E O L V E C I G E Answers are on the back page G R N O E C E O M J

juniorrangers.com.au Be Safe in The Snow.

1 2 3 Plan your activity Wear lots of layers, Wear a and don’t go without a thermal top, jumper waterproof coat. an adult. and maybe a vest.

4 5 6 Wear a hat, Carry a bag of nuts, Ask a family member waterproof gloves dried fruit & chocolate to help you study the and goggles. in your pocket. map so you know the name of where you are starting from and where you are going to.

ANSWERS Be PREPARED Mountain Get prepared for winter Your guide to a fun safe trip to the snowfields Pygmy Possum like the Mountain Pygmy BE PREPARED Family Word Find. Possum by wearing thick Your guide to a fun safe trip to the snowfields layers, storing food and Visit www.snowsafe.org.au B N I R D A F P A H keeping warm. O M N E R E K D L I PAGE 2 PAGE 10 INTRODUCTION TO SNOW SAFETY Family holiday or snow trip with friends? Preparation is a must, even for the shortest of trips. SNOW ACTIVITIES Helmets should be worn by all – novices, children G F S F C S F I T B Follow the rules above and experts; boarders, skiers and tobogganers. O B U U O T C O I E PAGE 22 PAGE 26

and go to HYPOTHERMIA Keep a close watch on weather conditions and seek shelter immediately if a storm approaches. STAY SAFE What to do in-case of emergency. What people with N O L G N I R M T R pre-existing condition conditions need to look out for www.snowsafe.org.au G U A E S V E O U N PAGE 33 PAGE 39 DRIVING IN THE SNOW for more information Vital winter road safety tips. Learn what to expect on snowy, icy and winding mountain roads. CHECKLISTS V L T W E A V T D A For clothing and equipment as well as a copy of the on staying safe in the alpine responsibility code and trip intentions form X D I S R T I H E T

snow. snowsafe.org.au your guide to a fun safe trip to the snowfields MOBILE PHONESTHE INFORMATION SAVEPROVIDED IN LIVES: THIS PUBLICATION In anSERVES emergency AS A GUIDE ONLY AND DOEScall NOT ‘000’ GUARANTEE THE PREVENTION OF ANY LOSS, M E O L V E C I G E DAMAGE, INJURY OR OTHER ADVERSE OUTCOME OCCURRING WHILST IN THE ALPINE REGIONS. SUPPORTED BY: Page - 1

AUSTRALIAN SKI PATROL ASSOCIATION G R N O E C E O M J VERSION 18 MAY 2015

Front Cover Image: Mt Feathertop.

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