Nothing sparks curiosity and understanding in children quite like the touch and feel of real wildlife.
Last week, the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) teamed up with Black Snake Productions on a roadshow of biodiversity presentations to local East Gippsland primary schools from Bairnsdale to Mallacoota.
“Catchment Connections is teaching students about biodiversity and the connection of what they can do as a school group or individually to contribute to the health of our waterways,” East Gippsland CMA chief executive Bec Hemming said.
“By incorporating live encounters with native wildlife, this initiative aims to instil an understanding of our catchment’s delicate balance while keeping the learning experience engaging and hands-on for the students.”
Young environmentalists got up close and personal with some Australian native animals to help them discover the importance of our catchments and the vital role the students themselves can play.
Black Snake Productions brought along a selection of native animals that call East Gippsland home. Students were able to see and interact with common species such as the Gippsland water dragon, blue tongued lizards and a fruit bat, less common species including a bandicoot and the green and golden bell frog, as well as some of the more endangered species such as the diamond python and the spotted quoll.
Students learnt about the work agencies like the East Gippsland CMA and other organisations and volunteer groups do to improve the health of the local waterways. There are many Victorians already out there, on the ground, doing important work to protect and enhance Victoria’s vital waterways.
The schools were encouraged to undertake their own environmental projects following the presentation, including building frog hotels, building a native garden or having a clean-up day.
This roadshow was made possible with funding from the Victorian Government’s $248 million investment over four years (2020-2024) to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.
