Excursions

• Guided walk through the wetlands
• Shore bird identification activity
• Nets to catch macroinvertebrates with instructions to calculate their diversity
• Equipment to measure the chemical properties of the water
• Presentation on human impacts (observable in the natural environment)
• Comparison of multiple sites with varying levels of human interference

Incursions

• An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
• Investigate ecosystem services provided by wetland plants with samples from living ecosystems to be passed around
• Learn about the cultural value of some wetland plants (e.g. in art). A short craft activity is optional.
• Undertake a variety of chemical tests on water samples taken from living ecosystems
• Shore bird identification activities
• Quiz (with prizes!) to assess comprehension

• Awareness and knowledge of threats to water quality
• An understanding of the importance of healthy waterways
• Awareness of the impacts of human activities on catchments both locally and globally
• Knowledge of local and largescale environmental issues affecting wetlands including habitat destruction, overharvesting, invasive species, habitat fragmentation and pollution
• Learning of sustainable behaviours that minimise these issues
• A sense of connection to and feeling of stewardship towards local catchments
• An understanding of the complex processes involved in managing our catchments in a sustainable manner.
• Experience in planning and conducting scientific field studies

Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Catchment Studies” excursion. All excursions packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.

NOTE: We often run this program in small groups and with multiple site visits. In this case, each group conducts one of the 3 activity sessions at each study site (usually 3) in a round robin fashion. This adds travel time between sessions.

8:30      Tour group pick- Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of

passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from institutions and airports

9:00      Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 The site you will visit will be part of a much larger

network of creeks, rivers and dams.  During this activity, you will learn where your study site is situated

in the relevant catchment and what ecosystem services the wetlands provide to adjacent and downstream

settlements. You will then conduct a visual survey to assess the level of disturbance at your site due to

human behaviors.

10:00   Activity session 2 The types of macro invertebrates hiding in the reeds that flank the banks can be a

good indication of how healthy or polluted the waterway is. During this activity, you will use nets to catch

as many water bugs as possible in the hour available. SIGNAL 2 sensitivity gradings of the bugs captured

and identified will allow you to judge the health of the waterway.

11:00   Lunch at destination Great areas to take a break and enjoy the scenery

12:00   Activity 3 It is important to collect a wide range of reliable qualitative and quantitative data in any

scientific investigation. In this activity, you will use the equipment provided to measure the chemical

properties of the water at your site (for example dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.). This

will give a leg up to your evaluation of the health of the waterway.

13:00   Depart wetland site for nearby Dam or Desalination Plant

13:30   Activity 4 Receive a presentation on the concept of water security from the manager of a dam or

desalination plant in your region. You will learn about threats to water security as well as the strategies in

place to keep them at bay.

14:30   Depart Dam or Desalination Plant, back to institution or airport

15:00   Arrive back at institution or airport when required