Parkview
Public School's third grade students were given a guided tour of
Fivebough Wetland on 20 August to learn about the important role of this
ecosystem, which attracts migratory birds from as far away as the
northern hemisphere
"This
excursion highlighted the important role the landscape plays and how it
has developed over hundreds of millions of years," said Red Earth
Ecology's Jo Roberts.
Activities
included identifying birds and beaks using binoculars, map-making,
hearing about the history of the Wetlands and seeing small invertebrates
in water samples using magnifying glasses.
"We're
grateful to the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists for the loan of
binoculars," said Ms Roberts. "Their assistance was also appreciated in
creating the educational resources shared with students."
Enthusiasm
among the students was clearly evident, as they were keen to share
their observations and detailed experiences with local flora and fauna.
"One highlight was watching a swamp hen through the binoculars as it
caught and ate a fish," said Ms Roberts, who also noted the popularity
of looking at the magnified water 'bugs', which was an eye-opening
insight into the microscopic world that supports the wetland food chain.
Worksheets
developed by Red Earth Ecology for the project were supported with a
Country Art Support Program grant administered by Western Riverina Arts
and Create NSW through funding from the NSW Government.
