Koala conservation added to Slacks Creek school curriculum

Students at Slacks Creek State School are now studying koala conservation as part of their curriculum.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr, Education Minister Rod Welford and Member for Springwood Barbara Stone said the new curriculum involved children from prep to grade 7 learning about conserving koalas through a range of subjects in and out of the classroom.

Ms Nelson-Carr said students would learn about the need for conservation, native animals and their habitats, food sources, natural and man-made threats to native wildlife, their characteristics, evolutionary processes, and the way these native animals nurture their young.

“QPWS rangers will assist teachers to deliver the new curriculum by attending the school and organising activities that will give students a deeper understanding of the koala population and its needs,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Students will participate in discussions, organised games and excursions which investigate a variety of native animals and their habitats.

“These lessons and activities will encourage children to think about the natural and man made threats to our native wildlife and communicate their ideas orally, visually and in writing genres - reflecting their knowledge and understanding of the content presented.”
Mr Welford said the curriculum would also open students up to future career possibilities in the nature conservation area.

“They will learn about the work of QPWS rangers, as well as other careers such as environmental science, environmental law, and work in the eco-efficiency or sustainability area,” Mr Welford said.

“The school already has a plantation of 1200 trees, mostly eucalyptus species, to provide leaf food to rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned koalas at the Moggill koala hospital and in the wider koala community.

“This initiative helps make up for the koalas’ diminishing food source within the Koala Coast, which has the largest population of koalas in south-east Queensland.

"This new addition to the curriculum will teach students of all ages the importance of the environment and conservation.

“Managing and maintaining this eucalyptus plantation not only means practical benefits for our vulnerable koalas, it also teaches students about the threats these animals face in urban environments, and how important their natural habitats are for their survival.”

State Member for Springwood Barbara Stone said she supported the school's plantation and conservation efforts and was pleased with the new curriculum.

“Each student has already planted three trees in the school grounds and each week they spend time tending the trees, and some of the older students measure the plants and chart their growth,” Ms Stone said.

“Now these conservation lessons have been incorporated into subjects such as health and physical education, science, and visual arts.

“This is a great outcome for our community as well as the local koala population.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the project demonstrated the Queensland Government’s commitment to conservation actions outlined in the QPWS Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan, which came into effect on 2 October 2006.

The QPWS is investigating opportunities to extend the Koala Fodder Plantation Program to other schools.

Media contact: Karla Steen (Ms Nelson-Carr) 3336 8004 or Marnie Stitz (Mr Welford) 3237 1000 or Ms Stone on 3808 4219