The ultimate aim of environmental education is to develop in people a sense of understanding about sustainable living. This recognises that as part of the Earth's living ecosystem, we can only take from it what can be replenished.

Humans are consuming the world's resources at a rate faster than they can possibly be replaced and this is having a huge impact on animal and plant biodiversity.

There are positive steps that can be taken, however, to reduce pressure on the environment. In this way, we contribute to a healthier planet and provide a better chance for species to survive.

Perth Zoo's Homestead exhibit is designed to demonstrate practical ways in which we can alter our lifestyle to reduce the negative impacts on the environment. The Homestead is built around three basic principles:

Energy Saving by Design

Supplying a home with energy costs not only money but also the environment as in most cases energy is provided to the home from a non-renewable source. For example, much of the energy provided to many homes comes from electricity generated when coal or natural gas is burnt.

This burning process releases carbon dioxide which is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect; threatening many fragile world ecosystems. If we can reduce the amount of energy consumed in the home, then we can save on these monetary and environmental costs.

The solar Homestead House is designed to demonstrate many features which can reduce home energy consumption.

Features For Warmth In Winter

In winter the design ensures minimum heat loss and maximum use of sunlight for heating.

• Most windows face north to catch the morning sun.
• The solarium facing north acts as a greenhouse. The heat built up in the solarium during the day enters the house via the open inner door. 
• When the cooking stove is in use radiated heat from its flue warms the solarium and then the house via the open inner door. 
• Ceiling fans move warm air from the upper roof level to the floor. 
• Rammed earth walls of the house hold the warmth generated by the stoves and solarium. Hearth walls close to the stove on the west wall increase the heating effect. 
• The skylight reduces the need for electric lights. 
• Louvres on the pergola and skylight allow entry of low angled winter sun.

Features for Cooling In Summer

In summer the design minimises the amount of sunlight entering the house and makes maximum use of natural breezes.

• The west facing verandah shades windows from strong summer afternoon sun. 
• Louvres on the solar pergola and skylight are angled to prevent entry of most of the sun's summer rays. 
• The courtyard on the south side channels the sea breeze and cool evening southerlies into the house. Vines and plants help to cool the air before entering the house. 
• Rammed earth walls slow down the rate at which daytime heat penetrates the inner space. Insulation in the roof has the same effect. 
• On summer nights, an extractor fan draws warm air out and cool night air in through open windows and cools the rammed earth ready for the next day. 
• In summer, with the outer door of the solarium open and the inner door closed, heat from the cooking stove flue escapes to the outside.

Domestic energy provided through renewable energy systems

Even with the above energy saving ideas, a home still requires some energy to operate appliances. Rather than obtaining this energy at financial and environmental cost, the Homestead draws its energy from two renewable sources.

Wind Energy

Attached to the adjacent Homestead Barn roof is a small wind generator. Perth's climate provides a good year-round supply of reliable wind to turn the rotor blades and thus generate significant amounts of electricity. A more traditional wind mill at the dam also draws water from the ground to fill the dam in an age old manner.

Solar Energy

Mounted on the north facing roof of the house is the solar hot water system as well as photovoltaic solar panels. These consist of silicon wafers that generate electricity when struck by sunlight.

The power generated by both the wind generator and the solar panels is stored in batteries inside the house that in turn supply the home's electrical needs in a standard 240 volts AC form.

Visit the Homestead today and get some ideas for how you can change your lifestyle to benefit the environment.

A reptile-friendly garden has also been built next to the Homestead Barn. Designed by school children from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Queens Park as part of a collaboration between Perth Zoo and Millennium Kids Inc, the garden provides ways of encouraging reptiles into your garden at home.

The Homestead is also used for the ever-popular Make Your Mark school holiday activities.