Learning about the native Plains-wanderer has been the key focus for over 60 students who recently commenced Project Plains-wanderer at Taronga Western Plains Zoo last week. 

Project Plains-wanderer is a community conservation education project aimed at raising awareness about the critically endangered Plains-Wanderer populations in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The students from Jerilderie Public School, Blighty Public School and Finley High School commenced their involvement in the project with workshops and an overnight stay at the Zoo.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for students to make a genuine contribution to the conservation of a species that is critically endangered and living in their local area,” said Education Officer, Stephanie Maguire.

Students rotated through three different workshops where they learnt about what Taronga Western Plains Zoo is doing to conserve the species, the threats facing the Plains-wanderer in the wild and the role of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Molly the detection dog in protecting Plains-wanderer populations in the Riverina.  

“Students also learnt about community education campaigns the Zoo is involved in and the best way to create a message to encourage behaviour change in their local communities,” said Steph. 

“The students were really engaged throughout the workshops, asking lots of questions of our experts. They were all very excited to meet Keeper Denyell Woodhouse and see the aviaries on site in the Zoo’s sanctuary as well as meet David Parker, OEH Threatened Species Officer and Molly the Conservation Detection Dog and learn about what they are doing in the field to protect Plains-wanderers.”

The students will now return to their schools to start working on their community education project before undertaking a habitat day in the region. 

“The program will culminate with an expo where the students will be able to display their projects and demonstrate what they have learnt through the course of the year,” said Steph.  

Project Plains-wanderer is a Taronga Western Plains Zoo initiative in partnership with the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage.