June 11th, 2011
Connecting with Wyong’s nature lovers
I’VE NOT LONG AGO arrived home from the last of a series of four presentations on the lives of the Bar-tailed Godwit for Wyong Shire Council’s “Wetlands of Wyong” series of wetland education days. I conducted two presentations in the month of May and two in June. I love these kinds of projects, because they reinforce in me the fact that people do care. They remind me that a flame burns in all of us that shines light on our need to reassert our connection with nature and to celebrate those emotions and the sense of wonder that we all feel through experiencing and contemplating that connection.
WYONG Local Government Area takes in a range of beautiful wetlands, both coastal and inland, several of which support rare, Threatened and iconic species from several Classes. Of course, those wetlands also support surrounding habitats and contribute to the quality of life that humans who rely on those habitats also enjoy.
It was great to catch up with or meet up with seasoned presenters and enthusiasts for wetlands, including the team from WetlandCare Australia, bird aficionado Alan Morris and Council’s Estuary Management Education Officer Suzy Tsaprounis. Of course, it was also great to be met by so many large turnouts of locals, eager to soak up the story of wetlands, celebrate the wonders of nature, share their love of nature and learn more about the parts they can play to preserve these important habitats.
Share the love
WHAT IS REQUIRED now is for people on the Central Coast to continue to share their passion for wetlands and spread that contagion for nature. More studies which help us to understand how these places work and of the lives of the residents of these wonderful habitats are required. Politicians at all levels need to be encouraged in the understanding that large sections of the community want these places retained, restored and managed appropriately and that there is a strong necessity for science to be listened to and acted upon as part of this process.
Who gets the bill?
Here in Australia, we are fortunate in that there are still opportunities to preserve much of our natural world and that with wise, informed management we can have our cake and eat it too. Our leaders need to know that the bill for all human activity should not always be handed to the world of nature. Every one of us has a role to play in a process of realignment which our society will have to go through if we hope to achieve sustainability. Surely education will be a big part of this process.
Until next time . . . happy birding!