Buddy Up
Partnerships for improved educational outcomes
Capacity building - LEP23_013_LLCSG
The issue
Gwydir Ark Biodiversity group has champagne goals but a beer budget. We have a small membership including locals interested in biodiversity conservation and representatives from a number of organisations. The group is supported by Northern Slopes Landcare Association (NSLA). We want to engage far and wide our local flora and fauna to:
- increase knowledge about our local biodiversity;
- encourage activities - local and regional - that help to support biodiversity outcomes;
- enhance community connection and networks; and
- increase our membership.
The solution
Through partnerships, we have been able to extend our activities and reach far beyond our groups' internal capacity. Support has been financial and project specific - massive thanks to our local Community Op Shop, Senior Citizens Centre, North West LLS and the Southern Qld, Northern NSW Drought Hub. We have also had significant in-kind support from McGregor Gourlay, John Breneger - Bingara Woodheap, the Australian Museum, University of NSW, and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
The focus of our workshop series is always on experiential learning, enabling participants to take home not only knowledge but also skills. Through workshops and other activities, we educate the community about local threatened species and citizen science opportunities for helping to expand our knowledge of local flora and fauna.
The impact
Through these powerful partnerships, Gwydir Ark Biodiversity group has been able to deliver the following during 2024_25:
- Platy Party - provided through UNSW and ACF
- Powerful Pollinators workshop - SQNNSW and NW LLS
- What the Buzz - Native Bee workshop - SQNNSW and NW LLS
- Fantastic Frogs workshop - Australian Museum
- iNaturalist workshop - NW LLS
- Regent Honeyeater walk - NW LLS
- River seed bank project - community support
Activities enabled direct engagement with over 80 people and indirect engagement with over 10,000 people. There are an additional 3 new members who engage regularly with our small group.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the community and organisations who have enabled us to champion our biodiversity through these activities .Thank you!