Bringing citizen science to students
It was a rainy August day when Mount Carmel College Year 8 students headed to Cascade Gardens to explore the Hobart Rivulet and the birds and wildlife that live around it. Despite the weather, the students were enthusiastic to get outside and see what they could find.
Standing on the land of the Muwinina here in Nipaluna/Hobart and recognising the continuing connection of Palawa to Country, we talked about the importance of caring for Country and the connections between land, water, plants, animals and people.
The excursion was part of Mount Carmel’s Year 8 STRIVE program, which aims to encourage students to develop a greater sense and appreciation of place by exploring Hobart and its surrounds. Landcare Tasmania’s focus for the excursion was rivers, looking at the importance of waterways for wildlife and how the things we do can affect river systems.
A quick lesson on how to use binoculars by Ellen Spencer. Photo credit: Landcare Tasmania Education Staff
We were also joined by Jason Graham from the Pacific Black Duck Conservation Group. Connecting our member schools with Landcare Tasmania groups and people in our network is an important part of Landcare Tasmania’s Education Program. Jason shared his knowledge of Tasmania’s native ducks and the habitats they rely on, giving students the opportunity to learn from someone actively involved in local conservation.
There was plenty to see. Students spotted Australian Wood Duck, Masked Lapwing, Superb Fairy-wren, Kelp Gull, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Forest Raven, Black Currawong, Yellow Wattlebird, Piyura (Tasmanian Native-hen), Laughing Kookaburra and Common Blackbird.
Then came the 100-point sighting of the scavenger hunt — a platypus!
A platypus made its way up the Hobart Rivulet, feeding as it went. Rather than being a quick glimpse, the students were able to spend time watching it in the river.
For some students, it was their first time seeing a platypus in the wild.
“I've never seen a platypus in the wild before.”
And after spending the session watching the platypus, another student summed up the experience:
“This is in the top 5 best moments of my life.”
As well as looking for wildlife, students were encouraged to look at the river itself and think about what might affect its health. We used the Caring for Our Waterways poster from Waterwatch Upper Murrumbidgee, created with artist Bohie Blackwood, to talk about how human activities can affect waterways and the animals that depend on them.
The afternoon gave students the chance to look more closely at a part of Hobart they may already know, while seeing it from a different perspective, as a living waterway and habitat for wildlife.
For Landcare Tasmania, it was also an opportunity to bring together a member school, a Landcare group and local wildlife knowledge, while helping students build a stronger connection to Country and the places around them.
This event is part of Landcare Tasmania’s Citizen Science Program, proudly supported by the JM Roberts Trust.
Landcare Tasmania has permission from Waterwatch Upper Murrumbidgee and artist Bohie Blackwood to use the Caring for Our Waterways resource in our education workshops.
Learn about our Education Program
