The second one day workshop was held on Cornish Hill on Tuesday 17th October, this time involving a total of 69 students from Yandoit, Bullarto, Drummond and Daylesford Primary schools as well as students from the Daylesford Dharma school.  This workshop focused on the precious natural habitat of the Reserve.  Students were mixed into 5 groups, with each group experiencing 5 different rotations, the aim being to understand that even the smallest creature plays an important role in maintaining a healthy environment.

John Caldow from Bugblitz presented a ‘hands-on’ session where children were introduced to a variety of spiders including the Mountain Huntsmen spiders named “Precious”. Spider evolution, morphology, behaviours and the roles spiders play in the balance of nature were discussed.  The students also explored the local habitat and the creatures they found were identified and photographed.

Erin, also from Bugblitz, introduced the students to the joys of bird watching.  A field guide and binoculars were used to find life-sized bird models of water birds which had been placed on a trail, in a local habitat. Bird sounds were played and threats to them were discussed.

searching birds

Guided by Castlemaine Ceramicist Ann Ferguson, students used natural materials such as sticks and seeds to interpret body parts of insects. Paper clay to connect the parts together to make each student’s unique insect. The finished products will be displayed as an exhibition in the local community bank as part of Daylesford Rotary’s October Art celebration.

Under the guidance of Nicole Howie, students explored the magical world of bird nests, marvelling at the skill of our beautiful native birds.  Using a variety of different materials and studying different techniques, individual nests were made and installed in the local habitat.

The final rotation featured frogs and the session began with Christina Renowden from Leap into Nature discussing frogs with the students, their physical features, and what they require in their habitat – both aquatic for breeding and terrestrial habitat for shelter, over-wintering, refuge and finding food. Students learned that frogs are such an important component of many ecosystems, why many are threatened with extinction and what we can do to help protect frogs and their habitat.

This event was funded by the Victorian Government in partnership with Hepburn Shire, The Daylesford Community Op Shop and the Daylesford Community Bank

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