Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

An introduction to the Wheatbelt landscape

Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 1 An introduction to the Wheatbelt landscape Dryandra Woodland is located 30km north-west of Narrogin and less than a two-hour drive south-east from . With just seven per cent of native vegetation remaining in the Western Wheatbelt, Dryandra’s 28,000ha of granite outcrops, breakaways and woodlands provide a refuge for more than 80 different species of birds and 24 species of mammals. is an ongoing wildlife recovery program undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. It has been instrumental in helping WA’s threatened native animals survive. Dryandra Woodland is located within a world recognised biodiversity ‘hotspot’, where more than 850 species of flora can be seen throughout the year. Comfortable accommodation at Lions Dryandra Woodland Village is available in renovated self-contained cottages or the Currawong complex with dormitory-style sleeping quarters and a commercial kitchen. Bookings are essential through the village caretakers: 9884 5231. EcoEducation activities and bookings are essential through the Department of Parks and Wildlife on 9881 9200.

Top: Lions Dryandra Woodland Village accommodation. Below: Currawong complex. Photos by John Lawson

Dryandra’s educational program aims to promote the principle that the maintenance of natural biodiversity can sustain a good quality of life. The combination of theory learnt in classrooms and practical skills gained through participating in animal monitoring or comparing plant communities helps students to make a connection between what they have learnt and what nature needs. Irabina Study Centre is located within the village and provides the perfect base for classroom activities. Our EcoEducation activities can be linked with current curriculum requirements.

Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 1 Barna Mia Nocturnal Marvellous marsupials Animal Sanctuary – animal trapping and – guided walk monitoring

Barna Mia visitors. Photo by Gary Tate Rossmoyne Bush Rangers set animal cage traps. Photo by Wendy Corrick Barna Mia is home to some of ’s most This is an opportunity for students to experience threatened native animals such as the bilby, , marl, the process of catching animals for scientific quenda, and mala. The sanctuary provides guests investigation. A range of different traps, including with an opportunity to view a number of rare native Sheffield and Elliot traps, are set in the afternoon and mammals in a near natural setting and learn about Parks then checked the following morning for animals. and Wildlife’s Western Shield project, Australia’s largest and Topics covered include: most ambitious wildlife conservation program. • the use of different traps to catch different A media presentation is followed by a guided walk animals under the stars to three viewing stations where the • setting traps small marsupials are observed as they feed in the glow • checking and securing traps of red-filtered spotlights. • animal handling, measuring and release Barna Mia is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday techniques and Saturday evenings. Tour sizes are limited and • data collection and analysis bookings are required. Group bookings can also be • biodiversity and threats to marsupials negotiated for Tuesday and Thursday evenings. • the importance of Parks and Wildlife’s Western Activity start time: Early evening (tours start Shield program. between 6–7.30pm depending Activity start time: Monday–Friday on the time of the year). Mid-afternoon: (2.30–4pm) * Duration: 1.5–2 hours Early morning: (6.30–9am) * * These times vary depending Cost: Adult $20 on the time of the year. Adult concession $15.50 Student/child $10 Duration: Afternoon 1.5 hours / Family $50 (2 adults and 2 morning 2.5 hours children 16 years and under). Cost: $300 set rate Group: Strict supervision is required for (20 or less students) children 6 years or under – not $550 set rate recommended for children (21 to 40 students) under 4 years of age. Group: Years 4–12 Group size: Up to 40 students Group size: Up to 40 students

Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 2 Investigating invertebrates Tracks, scats, traces and radio-tracking

Top: Bull ant. Photo by John Lawson Below: Mouse spider. Photo by Parks and Wildlife

In a woodland neighbourhood, the trees are home Radio-tracking. Photo by Parks and Wildlife to many different animals. Students investigate life on a woodland floor where tiny animals crawl, dig This activity demonstrates how animal tracks, scats and wriggle. Earthworms, mites, beetles and other and other traces can be used to determine preferred insects mostly live out of sight. During this hands-on habitat, home ranges and behaviour of different discovery activity, students enter the world of these animal species. Using their investigation skills small but incredible invertebrates. students explore an area searching for scratchings, Activity time: Monday–Friday diggings and other evidence of animals, birds and Between 9am–4pm reptiles. Participants also learn how to use radio- tracking equipment to locate radio-collared animals. Duration: 2 hours Students are then able to try radio-tracking toy Cost: $175 set rate animals in smaller groups. (20 or less students) Activity time: Monday–Friday $300 set rate Between 9am–4pm (21–40 students) Duration: 2 hours Recommended group: Pre-primary to Year 10 Cost: $175 set rate Group size: Up to 40 students (20 or less students) $300 set rate (21–40 students) Recommended group: Years 4–10 Group size: Up to 40 students

Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 3 Sensational night life Biodiversity conservation (self-guided) and management: putting the pieces together

Top: Brushtail possum. Photo by Gerald Lorenz Below: Tawny This is a Power Point presentation covering the frogmouth. Photo by John Lawson importance of biological diversity of fauna and flora taxa, the threats against biodiversity and the causes Students, while exploring with spotlights, will of extinction. An animal case study is discussed, along recognise the interdependence of life as the with management techniques and methods applied woodland comes alive after dark. This experience can by Parks and Wildlife to conserve threatened species be a highlight of a school camp. in Dryandra. The presentation covers the department’s Suggested time: After sunset Western Shield wildlife recovery program. Cost: No charge (self-guided) Activity time: Monday–Friday Between 9am–4pm Recommended group: Years 5–12 Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: $175 set rate (20 or less students) $300 set rate (21–40 students) Recommended group: Years 10–12 Group size: Up to 40 students

Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 4 Communities and adaptations in Dryandra Woodland

Dryandra Woodland. Photo by John Lawson Rossmoyne Bush Rangers taking part in a trapping activity. Photo by Wendy Corrick This is a walk-and-talk presentation highlighting some of the different vegetation communities found within Dryandra Woodland; in particular their characteristic landscapes, soils, plants and animals. Discussions will cover the amazing adaptations these plants and animals have evolved to survive in this environment, including fire. Also discussed are some of the historical and contemporary challenges facing these communities, and the importance of management programs such as Western Shield to protect the nature of Dryandra Woodland for the future. Carpet python, Dryandra Woodland. Activity time: Monday–Friday Photo by John Lawson Between 9am–4pm Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: $175 set rate (20 or less students) $300 set rate (21–40 students) Recommended group: Years 8–12 Group size: Up to 40 students

Tracks, scats and traces activity with Rossmoyne Bush Rangers. Photo by Wendy Corrick Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 5 Location of Dryandra Woodland

Entry to Dryandra

Calytrix leschenaultii. Photo by John Lawson Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program 6 More information Department of Parks and Wildlife, Wheatbelt Region, Narrogin Office Phone: (08) 9881 9200 Email: [email protected] Web: dpaw.wa.gov.au Cover photos Clockwise from top left: bush stone curlews with chicks (photo by John Lawson); golden Dryandra (photo by Parks and Wildlife); (photo by John Lawson); Dryandra Woodland vista (photo by Lynette Carroll). Above: Brown mallet, Dryandra Woodland (photo by Lynette Carroll). This publication is available in alternative formats on request. Information current at December 2015.

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