We’re All In!
We’re All In to Help Protect Native Animals
Last year, the Kangaroos children became fascinated with possums while creating their very first “Species of the Month” podcast. Through their research, discussions and observations, the children began learning about possum habitats, nocturnal wildlife and the important role native animals play in our local ecosystem.
Not long after, we sadly found a dead possum at the back of the service near the chicken area. While upsetting, it sparked conversations with the children about the challenges native wildlife face living alongside humans.
As part of our investigations, one of our educators even brought in a possum box from home so the children could explore what safe possum habitats look like and why tree hollows are becoming harder for wildlife to find.
More recently, we were speaking with local Aboriginal elder Kazan Brown about native wildlife and the importance of protecting animals within our local catchment. Kazan shared some of the conservation work happening in our area, including research into predators and the devastating impact feral animals can have on native species.
Kazan spoke about projects working alongside the NSW Koala Strategy and researchers from UNSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science, looking at koala predation and combining First Nations knowledge with western science. Part of the work involves collecting predator scat (animal poo) for DNA and environmental DNA (eDNA) testing. While it might sound unusual at first, the science behind it is incredible. Fox, cat and dingo scat can reveal what animals are living in the area, what predators are eating and how healthy the ecosystem is overall — even when many of the animals themselves are rarely seen.
One comment Kazan made was quite alarming:
“The feral cats are big and they eat everything.”
It was a urgent reminder that protecting native wildlife is something we all need to take seriously, especially living where we do, surrounded by bushland and important wildlife corridors.
With the generous help of Warradale Men’s Shed, two beautiful possum boxes have now been made for our service. The children will be decorating the boxes to be displayed as part of this year’s Together Arts Exhibition held by Wollondilly Shire Council.
This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is “All In”, and we feel that being “all in” also means being committed to protecting the native animals that share this land with us.
We hope these experiences help foster not only curiosity and learning for the children and their families, but also respect, responsibility and care for Country and the creatures that call it home.
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