Awareness through Art
Awareness through Art
The Caragabal Bird Art project aims to celebrate the unique local bird life at Caragabal and raise awareness of threatened species.
Collaborations -
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The issue
The Weddin District is home to an incredible diversity of birds, including many threatened species. Unfortunately, community awareness of the diversity of birdlife and the declining conservation status of many bird species is poor and not enough is being done to help protect these species.
Weddin Landcare sought to increase the awareness of local birdlife and lift enthusiasm for conservation efforts.
The solution
The Caragabal Bird Art Project was first envisioned by Weddin Landcare member, Phillip Diprose, who pitched an idea of some local Bird Art to the students and community at Caragabal, a small rural village on the Mid-Western Highway. They loved it!
A partnership then formed between Caragabal Public School, the Caragabal Progress Group and Weddin Landcare to bring the project idea to life, with generous input from local community members and businesses to develop a large, modern, fine artwork, depicting the local bird life at Caragabal, which includes numerous threatened species.
Weddin Landcare Coordinator, Melanie Cooper, worked with the primary students at Caragabal Public School who researched the local bird species and then voted on which birds should be included on the artwork. Based on the species selected, the Caragabal Bird Art was then designed by Eggpicnic, a Sydney based design studio, who are devoted to wildlife conservation and participate in local bird surveys.
The project was also supported by Central West Local Land Services, with funding made available through the NSW Government. The landowner, Trevor McDonald, kindly allowed the artwork to be displayed on his shed.
The impact
This wonderful, collaborative effort has resulted in an inspiring and meaningful flock in a location like no other! The students were very engaged in this project, with some students even begging to work on “their birds” during lunchtime! Follow up educational sessions have been conducted with the students and some nestboxes for selected bird species have been placed around the school, with an ongoing monitoring program in place.
The Caragabal Bird Art has received much attention, having reached over 1 million social media users, and is now listed on the Arts Out West Culture Map, Visit NSW website and Google Maps. The artwork has also lifted the spirits of the local community at Caragabal, with a many already taking a keener interest in local bird-watching activities and workshops.
Key facts
- The Caragabal Bird Art aims to celebrate the unique local bird life and raise awareness of local threatened species.
- This collaborative effort has resulted in a meaningful and inspiring artwork, in a location like no other.