Zoomobile Rangers Ryan Dare and Michelle Durkan are on a mission to rural areas. A mission where one day, a regional school kid may grow up to be, in Ryan’s words, “ the next David Attenborough or Jane Goodall.” Zoomobile rangers Ryan and Michelle were part of a unique opportunity for 80 schoolchildren from Trunkey, Neville, Carcoar, Lyndhurst and Black Springs Public Schools, to get hands on with wildlife and share the knowledge and passion of various ecologists at the Trunkey Creek Bioblitz. This event was organised in the lead up to World Environment Day (June 5) by Mary Bonet from Upper Lachlan Landcare, in partnership with the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) Initiative.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Marcelle McCallum, P&C Secretary for Trunkey Public School, was delighted that these shared schools events were held in the region with Trunkey Creek show ground operating as a sort of base camp.
“Opportunities like today don’t come along too often,” said Ms McCallum.
“Our schools share these unique events and activities, as they wouldn’t be cost effective on their own.”
Ms McCallum said, “days like the Bioblitz and past environmental awareness events fuel the children’s passion to learn more.
“They are inspired by hands on learning and the exciting opportunity to meet and talk with experts in their various fields.”
The enthusiasm of the children for nature was certainly on display during the interactive exhibition of native wildlife provided by the Taronga Zoomobile.
The Zoomobile educators wholeheartedly endorse the success of bringing these activities to regional NSW and hoped that the impression made will see positive actions driven by the next generation.
It is fitting that they are sponsored by Boeing, as the Zoomobile makes ‘flying visits’ around the state to instil an appreciation of conservation and an understanding and respect for nature in the very young.
Of course, even the Zoomobile Rangers can’t do it all themselves.
Ryan and Michelle’s aim is to inspire not just schoolchildren, but also teachers, parents and the whole community into local actions for the environment.
Jennie Morgan from the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife summed the day up well, “it’s all about getting out there and doing your bit for this amazing planet that we call home.
“Every little bit counts and it was so uplifting to see the passion and engagement of the Trunkey Creek community.”
The Zoomobile and BioBlitz crew had plenty of help from a team of presenters including community relations officer Andy Mcquie from the Office of Environment and Heritage and Regional Landcare Facilitator, Liz Davis who delivered a snapshot of their water watch program.
The children found out about wetlands and indicators of water quality, collecting water samples from the local creek and then identifying aquatic microorganisms with magnifying glasses and a microscope.
When it came to identifying terrestrial wildlife, environmental educators Dr. Anne Kerle and Mike Fleming didn’t focus on the traditional three R’s but rather on the three S’s - signs, sights and sounds.
Anne revealed that the children’s most popular method of identification by sign is always the study of scats - more commonly known as animal poos !
The children certainly had no trouble identifying a koala in the car park as they left.
Well, at 6 foot tall he was hard to miss.
Cranky Koala was sent along by Roslyn Landcare Group where he is also known to double as a Landcare mascot. Mark Selmes , aka Cranky said, “It is today’s children who will grow up to shape the future direction of our local communities. Hopefully our local environments will be in good hands.
