Birds, Bats and Bugs - Engaging Schools in Ecosystem Benefactors
Birds, Bats and Bugs - Engaging Schools in Ecosystem Benefactors
The ‘Birds, Bats and Bugs’ project combined classroom learning with practical outdoor experiences to teach students about ecosystem benefactors.
Community Participation -
LP048-003
The issue
The 'Birds, Bats and Bugs' project was developed to re-connect Weddin Landcare with local schools and engage students in environmental studies.
The solution
The ‘Birds, Bats and Bugs’ project initially involved three small schools of the Weddin Shire, with funding for the project sourced from Central West Local Land Services. Each school adopted an ecosystem benefactor - Caragabal Public School studied birds; Greenethorpe Public School learnt about microbats; and Quandialla Public School discovered native bees. Preschool children also joined in on several sessions.
Students learnt from guest presenters about the important roles these animals play in different ecosystems, threats to them as well as ways to encourage more of them in our landscape.
Learnings were then put into action with the installation of artificial habitats. An arborist installed eight bird nesting boxes within the Caragabal School grounds as well as ten microbat boxes at Greenethorpe Public School. Quandialla Public School students participated in a hands-on workshop to build eight native bee hotels for their school.
An ongoing monitoring program has been established with the schools. As part of this, students can use a range of technology such as binoculars, apps, cameras and sound recording equipment to monitor changes in local bird, microbat and insect populations and learn valuable observation skills.
The impact
Students were highly engaged in the sessions and the project successfully re-established an ongoing relationship between Weddin Landcare and local schools. The project has now been rotated and extended to other schools within the Weddin Shire, with all six local schools now on board for the second year.
It is hoped that the children continue to advocate for the ecosystem benefactors beyond the life of this project. Many of the school students reside on farms and, with longevity and consistency, this project will hopefully filter through to farmers and the broader community. This will have a positive influence on farm management decisions and the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems and local communities on a much larger scale.
Key facts
- Schools in the Weddin District have been participating in the 'Birds, Bats and Bugs' project to learn about ecosystem benefactors.
- The combination of interesting guest presenters and hands-on, outdoor learning has proven to be a terrific way to engage schools in environmental topics.
- Twenty-six artificial habitats were installed to help support local populations of birds, microbats and native bees.