Piney Lakes Educates With Holiday Habitats Program

Environmental Education Officer Ben Kelly said the Holiday Habitats program, held on Wednesday, 15 April 2009, linked together the partnership between the City of Melville and the Shire of Quairading, and gave the young people who participated the chance to learn about the importance of natural habitats in both areas. “The threatened black-footed rock wallaby’s habitat in the Quairading area’s nature reserves was a key topic,” he said.

“The children who participated were aged from about five to 15 years, and took part in activities including bushwalking, poster-making and a ‘habitat hoop’ game. The program was facilitated by Conservation Covenant Program Coordinator for the National Trust of Australia (WA) Louise Leigh, who delivered the program as a component of her Masters post-graduate studies in Environmental Management,” he said. “The children’s parents, who were also in attendance, agreed that the program was a fantastic, interactive, educational session for both their children and themselves.”

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the program highlighted the importance of natural habitats within both the City of Melville and the Shire of Quairading. “The City shares a formally recognised partnership with Quairading, whereby the two communities share technical skills, services and advice,” he said. “The Holiday Habitats program is a great example of friendship between city and country, and in this case, has provided a unique forum for young people to learn about habitats in a fun way.”

Mr Kelly said Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre would offer a similar program next school holidays, to focus on local wildlife habitats for the quenda, as well as other fun and educational school holiday events, which may include birds-of-prey demonstrations and Aboriginal heritage sessions.

For more information on the National Trust of Australia (WA) call 9321 6088 or click here. To find out what’s happening at Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, phone Mr Kelly on 9364 0790, email benjamin.kelly@melville.wa.gov.au, or click here.