1Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

An introduction to the Wheatbelt landscape

Dryandra Woodland2016 EcoEducation school activity program

1Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

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 Perth.

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. Western Shield 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.

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.

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

2Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

Barna Mia Nocturnal Animal Sanctuary – guided walk

Rossmoyne Bush Rangers set animal cage traps. Photo by Wendy Corrick

Barna Mia visitors. Photo by Gary Tate

Marvellous marsupials – animal trapping and monitoring

This is an opportunity for students to experience the process of catching animals for scientific investigation. A range of different traps, including Sheffield and Elliot traps, are set in the afternoon and then checked the following morning for animals.

Topics covered include:• the use of different traps to catch different

animals• setting traps• checking and securing traps• animal handling, measuring and release

techniques• data collection and analysis• biodiversity and threats to marsupials• the importance of Parks and Wildlife’s Western

Shield program.

Activity start time: Monday–Friday Mid-afternoon: (2.30–4pm) * Early morning: (6.30–9am) * * These times vary depending on the time of the year.

Duration: Afternoon 1.5 hours / morning 2.5 hours

Cost: $300 set rate (20 or less students) $550 set rate (21 to 40 students)

Group: Years 4–12

Group size: Up to 40 students

Barna Mia is home to some of Western Australia’s most threatened native animals such as the bilby, boodie, marl, quenda, woylie and mala. The sanctuary provides guests with an opportunity to view a number of rare native mammals in a near natural setting and learn about Parks and Wildlife’s Western Shield project, Australia’s largest and most ambitious wildlife conservation program.

A media presentation is followed by a guided walk under the stars to three viewing stations where the small marsupials are observed as they feed in the glow of red-filtered spotlights.

Barna Mia is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Tour sizes are limited and bookings are required. Group bookings can also be negotiated for Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Activity start time: Early evening (tours start between 6–7.30pm depending on the time of the year).

Duration: 1.5–2 hours

Cost: Adult $20 Adult concession $15.50 Student/child $10 Family $50 (2 adults and 2 children 16 years and under).

Group: Strict supervision is required for children 6 years or under – not recommended for children under 4 years of age.

Group size: Up to 40 students

3Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

Investigating invertebrates

In a woodland neighbourhood, the trees are home to many different animals. Students investigate life on a woodland floor where tiny animals crawl, dig and wriggle. Earthworms, mites, beetles and other insects mostly live out of sight. During this hands-on discovery activity, students enter the world of these small but incredible invertebrates.

Activity time: Monday–Friday Between 9am–4pm

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: $175 set rate (20 or less students) $300 set rate (21–40 students)

Recommended group: Pre-primary to Year 10

Group size: Up to 40 students

Tracks, scats, traces and radio-tracking

This activity demonstrates how animal tracks, scats and other traces can be used to determine preferred habitat, home ranges and behaviour of different animal species. Using their investigation skills students explore an area searching for scratchings, diggings and other evidence of animals, birds and reptiles. Participants also learn how to use radio-tracking equipment to locate radio-collared animals. Students are then able to try radio-tracking toy animals in smaller groups.

Activity time: Monday–Friday Between 9am–4pm

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: $175 set rate (20 or less students) $300 set rate (21–40 students)

Recommended group: Years 4–10

Group size: Up to 40 students

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

Radio-tracking. Photo by Parks and Wildlife

4Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

Sensational night life (self-guided)

Students, while exploring with spotlights, will recognise the interdependence of life as the woodland comes alive after dark. This experience can be a highlight of a school camp.

Suggested time: After sunset

Cost: No charge (self-guided)

Recommended group: Years 5–12

Biodiversity conservation and management: putting the pieces together

This is a Power Point presentation covering the importance of biological diversity of fauna and flora taxa, the threats against biodiversity and the causes of extinction. An animal case study is discussed, along with management techniques and methods applied by Parks and Wildlife to conserve threatened species in Dryandra. The presentation covers the department’s Western Shield wildlife recovery program.

Activity time: Monday–Friday Between 9am–4pm

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

Top: Brushtail possum. Photo by Gerald Lorenz Below: Tawny frogmouth. Photo by John Lawson

5Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

Communities and adaptations in Dryandra Woodland

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.

Activity time: Monday–Friday 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

Dryandra Woodland. Photo by John Lawson Rossmoyne Bush Rangers taking part in a trapping activity. Photo by Wendy Corrick

Carpet python, Dryandra Woodland. Photo by John Lawson

Tracks, scats and traces activity with Rossmoyne Bush Rangers. Photo by Wendy Corrick

6Dryandra Woodland 2016 EcoEducation school activity program

Location of Dryandra Woodland

Entry to Dryandra

Calytrix leschenaultii. Photo by John Lawson

More informationDepartment of Parks and Wildlife, Wheatbelt Region, Narrogin Office

Phone: (08) 9881 9200 Email: narrogin@dpaw.wa.gov.au 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); numbats (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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