Download Threatened Species Art Competition Teacher

Threatened Species
Art Competition
Teacher Resources
The Macarthur region is home to a wide diversity of native flora and fauna. Many of these
species are at risk from a range of threatening processes such as habitat loss and
fragmentation, competition with and predation by introduced species and disease. The
populations of some of these species have significantly declined to the point that they are at
risk of extinction in the immediate to long-term future, these species are referred to as
threatened species.
The Threatened Species Art Competition aims to increase awareness about local threatened
species, local biodiversity and threats to wildlife. The competition is now in its sixth year and
has been met with significant success in terms of community participation and the
environmental education outcomes it delivers.
The competition is targeted at children aged 5-12 and encourages them to learn about a
local threatened species and represent it in a piece of artwork. Individual prizes will be
awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age category. In addition, the school with the
highest participation rate will receive a prize pack of environmental resources valued at
$400. The runner up school will also receive a $250 prize pack.
How the Competition works:
1. Schools receive a Teachers Resources document (lesson material) and entry form.
2. Teachers use lesson material to teach students about local threatened species.
3. Students create artworks depicting a local threatened species.
4. Schools return artworks with attached entry forms to council. Schools may decide to
run a school competition first to determine the best entries per class.
Entries close Thursday 5th September, 2013
5. Entries will judged by an expert panel week beginning 9th September.
6. Competition entries will be displayed in regional libraries during September to
celebrate Biodiversity Month. All entries will be returned to schools at the end of the
competition.
For more information contact your council’s environment unit:
Campbelltown City Council
4645 4601
Camden Council
4645 5007
Wollondilly Shire Council
4677 1122
Background Information
What are threatened species?
Australia is home to many unique habitats and wildlife. Since
European settlement more than 100 species of plants and
animals have become extinct. More mammals have become
extinct in Australia than any other country.
Habitat destruction is the main reason for a species to
become threatened or extinct. Human activities such as land
clearing, urban expansion, introduced pests and
environmental pollution all contribute to habitat threat and
destruction.
In NSW, over 850 species are under threat of extinction,
along with a range of ecological communities that provide
habitat. The Threatened Species Act 1995 was put into place
to protect these and other species into the future. It outlines
four categories of threatened species, populations or
ecological communities.
The rich mixture of species
that makes up our local
ecosystem is called
biodiversity
Biodiversity is important for
maintaining a healthy
environment, not only for the
plants and animals that live
within it, but also for the
humans that share it with
them. After all, biodiversity is
what fuels many of the
processes we rely on, like
those that clean the air, filter
the water and nurture the
soil.
Species Presumed Extinct – there has been no record in its known or expected
habitat in NSW for a period of time relevant to its life-cycle and form.
Critically Endangered – there is an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate
future.
Endangered – there is high risk of extinction in the near future
Vulnerable – there is high risk of extinction in the medium-term future
Threatened species in Macarthur
The Macarthur region is lucky to be home to a wide variety of unique plants and animals. In
fact many of the species that are considered threatened in New South Wales make their
homes in the local environment. It is important that we aim to preserve these unique
creatures – for their own sake and also for future Macarthur generations to enjoy.
Koala Cumberland Plain Land Snail Broad‐headed snake Threatened Species List
Common Name
Red-crowned
Toadlet
Scientific Name
Pseudophryne australis
Status
Vulnerable
Giant Burrowing
Frog
Heleioporus australiacus
Vulnerable
Bush Stone Curlew
Burhinus grallarius
Endangered
Swift Parrot
Lathamus discolor
Endangered
Painted Honeyeater
Grantiella picta
Vulnerable
Gang-Gang
Cockatoo
Callocephalon fimbriatum
Vulnerable
Barking Owl
Ninox connivens
Vulnerable
Blue-billed Duck
Oxyura australis
Vulnerable
Cumberland Plain
Land Snail
Eastern Freetail-Bat
Meridolum corneovirens
Endangered
Mormopterus
norfolkensis
Vulnerable
Grey-headed Flying
Fox
Pteropus poliocephalus
Vulnerable
Long-nosed Potoroo
Potorous tridactylus
Vulnerable
Koala
Phascolarctos cinereus
Vulnerable
Eastern Pygmy
Possum
Cercartetus nanus
Vulnerable
Threats
 Habitat loss
 Poor water quality
 Too many fires
 Climate change
 Habitat loss
 Disease
 Poor water quality
 Climate change
 Foxes and cats
 Habitat loss
 Too many fires
 Habitat loss
 Collision with wire netting,
windows and cars
 Habitat loss
 Heavy grazing
 Removal of large trees
 Habitat loss
 Climate change
 Disease
 Habitat loss
 Removal of fallen trees
and logs
 Too many fires
 Habitat loss
 Pollution
 Too many fires
 Illegal hunting
 Habitat loss
 Loss of hollow-bearing
trees
 Pesticides
 Loss of foraging habitat
 Habitat loss
 Illegal shooting
 Climate change
 Habitat loss
 Too many fires
 Foxes, dogs and cats
 Habitat loss
 Foxes, dogs and cats
 Large fires
 Disease
 Loss of feed trees
 Habitat loss
 Changes in food supply
 Cats, dogs and foxes
Spotted-tailed Quoll
Dasyurus maculatus
Vulnerable
Squirrel Glider
Petaurus norfolcensis
Vulnerable
Yellow-bellied Glider
Petaurus australis
Vulnerable
Brush-tailed rock
wallaby
Petrogale penicillata
Endangered
Sydney Plains
Greenhood
Pterostylis saxicola
Endangered
Nodding Geebung
Persoonia nutans
Endangered
Spiked Rice Flower
Pimelea spicata
Endangered
Camden White Gum
Eucalyptus benthamii
Vulnerable
Bynoe’s Wattle
Acacia bynoeana
Endangered
Rosenberg’s
Goanna
Varanus rosenbergi
Vulnerable
Broad-headed snake
plocephalus bungaroides
Endangered
 Habitat loss
 Poisoning
 Competition with cats and
foxes
 Habitat loss
 Loss of hollow bearing
trees
 Cats, dogs and foxes
 Habitat loss
 Loss of hollow-bearing
trees
 Loss of feed trees
 Habitat loss
 Foxes, dogs and cats
 Competition with feral
goats
 Too many fires
 Habitat loss
 Weeds
 Human activities such as
bushwalking, trail bike
riding
 Unauthorised collection
 Habitat loss
 Too many fires
 Weeds
 Habitat disturbance from
mowing, grazing
 Too many fires
 Weeds
 Changes to fire patterns
 Weeds
 Feral pigs
 Habitat loss
 Too many fires
 Weeds
 Habitat loss
 Vehicles
 Cats and dogs
 Vehicles
 Removal of bushrock
 Removal of hollowbearing trees
How can you help?
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Create habitat for native animals and birds in your backyard or school
Leave dead wood and rocks in the bush
Keep your cat indoors at night
Join a community group, such as a local Bushcare group
Remove known weed species from your garden and replace with local native plants
Dispose of garden waste carefully
Visit a local national park or nature reserve. By supporting these activities, important
habitat is protected.
The Problem with Weeds
Weeds cause major problems for our environment competing with
native species for light, space and nutrients and smother existing
vegetation. More weeds mean less habitat and food for our native
animals and a disruption in the local ecosystem. Garden plant
introductions make up over 70 per cent of the listed environmental
weeds. Weeds move easily from gardens to bushland, meaning
garden plants can be a big threat to our biodiversity.
Common weeds in the Macarthur region:
Privet Bridal Creeper Alligator Weed African Olive Blackberry Lantana Artwork inspiration
Winning entries will be
displayed in regional
libraries and published in
a calendar, distributed
across the Macarthur
region.
Additional Lesson Activities
Museum exhibition – Imagine your artwork is going to be displayed as part of a museum
exhibition. Create some signs and additional artefacts that will teach others about the
threatened species. You might like to include information such as its scientific name,
distribution, life cycle, interesting features and common threats.
Nature Charades – What is it like to be a tree? How does a baby animal feel? Get an
understanding of different parts of the environment by pretending that you are those parts.
Natural objects: a plant or rock. Animal: Baby bird, flying fox, squirrel glider. Present event:
wind blowing through the trees, land clearing.
Nature Rubbings – Walk around outdoors to collect various textured objects. These could
include leaves, tree bark, rocks etc. To make a rubbing, place a piece of paper on top of the
object. Rub the paper gently with crayons until textures appear. The object and its texture
will be ‘imprinted’ on the paper. You might like to use the rubbings or collage of rubbings in
your competition artwork.
Native Plant Seed Bank – Visit the ABC Splash website and watch the video clip about the
native plant seed bank (http://splash.abc.net.au/media/-/m/30807/native-plant-seedbank?source=search) Research a local threatened plant species and find out where it is
found, threats it faces and what is being done to conserve it.
Aboriginal Significance – Research local plant species and identify a plant that is culturally
significant to local aboriginal people. Draw a detailed diagram of the plant. Identify its parts
and how they are used.
Make a difference – Research some environmental groups that help protect and conserve
Australian biodiversity. Locate a local group and learn how they are helping protect
threatened species. Groups might include bushcare, national parks, botanic gardens,
WIRES or council.
Native Garden – Design a native garden for home or school. Identify some local plant
species that could be planted to attract wildlife. You may like to participate in local tree
planting activities or National Tree Day.
Weed Warriors – Investigate a local invasive species that threatens native habitat. Create a
poster to educate others about the problems caused by this weed and alternatives that can
be planted in the garden.
More Information
American Museum of Natural History – Interactive games, video and resources for kids
about biodiversity http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/biodiversity#
Arkive – A gallery of images and information on threatened species. A number of lesson
plans and student activities are also available http://www.arkive.org/
Australian Museum – Biodiversity information and the work of the museum
http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/biodiversity
Backyard Buddies – Foundation of National Parks & Wildlife program to promote the
protection of native animals in suburban areas http://www.backyardbuddies.net.au/
Birds in Backyards – tips and resources for encouraging native bird habitats in suburban
areas http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/
Living Macarthur Sustainable Living Guide – Articles on a range of sustainable actions
including native gardens and promoting biodiversity http://www.livingmacarthur.com.au/
Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust - Information about Cumberland Plain Woodland
ecology
http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome/australian_botanic_garden/the_garden/feature_gard
ens/cumberland_plain_woodland
Wilderquest – Interactive game from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for
students to learn about a range of NSW ecosystems http://wilderquest.nsw.gov.au/#/intro
Evaluation Form
School:
Year Level:
Please rate the following aspects of the competition:
1. Background Information
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
2. Lesson Activities
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
3. Submission procedure of design entries
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Please provide a
copy of this
evaluation form
to every
participating
teacher
4. Assistance from council
Poor
Fair
5. Improvement in student knowledge of threatened species
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
6. Improvement in student behaviour towards biodiversity and threatened species
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
7. What Lesson activities did you complete to introduce biodiversity and threatened
species ideas?
8. Please ask your students how they will use the knowledge they have learnt at home
and school to improve local biodiversity.
9. What did you and your students enjoy most about the competition?
10. What could be improved?
Return this evaluation form along with the entry form and student artworks