Bush Blitz TeachLive

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1 Bush Blitz TeachLive Olkola, far north Queensland July 2015

Bush Blitz is a national partnership to discover, A

itz expe di tion to Ch ar les Darw in Res erve in

Front cove ver: Col lect ing plan t sa mp les, Kimbe

2 Bush Blitz is a national partnership to discover, A dunnart (genus Sm inthopsis) found on the Bus ush Bl itz expe di tion to Ch ar les Darw in Res erve in West ern Aust ra lia So ur ce : The Au stralian Front cove ver: Col lect ing plan t sa mp les, Kimbe berley Bush Blit z Te achlive expedition Shae Nechwatalal 2

Background It is estimated that as much as 75% of species living in Australia - its unique plants, animals and other organisms - have yet to be documented.

Bush Blitz scientists - assisted by teachers and BHP Billiton employees working as including: 122 species of spider 131 species of moth 45 species of crustacean species but it also helps increase the

3 Background It is estimated that as much as 75% of species living in Australia - its unique plants, animals and other organisms - have yet to be documented. Resources Study - embarked on an ambitious journey Results to date began, Bush Blitz has conducted 21 throughout Australia. Bush Blitz scientists - assisted by teachers and BHP Billiton employees working as including: 122 species of spider 131 species of moth 45 species of crustacean species but it also helps increase the knowledge of species that are already known to science. Through Bush Blitz, 200 species Found more than 250 species listed endangered assists local land managers to protect knowledge of both threatened species and pest species. Jewel bug (La Lamp mpomicra senat ator or) For example Bush Blitz expeditions host plants. By studying these species understanding of these relationships, which can assist in managing the many true bugs that are pests of crops such as wheat and corn. So far Bush Blitz has recorded more than for scientists and land managers throughout Australia - this is summed up in the Bush Blitz catch phrase if you don t 3

4 Ka te Cus uswo rth Bush Blitz is helping to identify and protect ject, Bush Blitz increases our knowledge of ecosystems by: species thought to be extinct Finding new locations of threatened species Recording species range extensions to understand their spread and migration potential 4

The target groups are: Vascular plants (plants with tissues for conducting water and minerals) Reptiles Amphibians expedition, for example,

5 Cassandra Ni chols Bush Blitz focuses on ten target taxonomic groups. These groups represent some of the most abundant, yet least understood, organisms in Australia as well as some planning. The target groups are: Vascular plants (plants with tissues for conducting water and minerals) Reptiles Amphibians expedition, for example, scientists assisted by teachers collected a chrome Hasora chromus), which Queensland and the Northern Territory. Western Australia in ten years. Hemiptera (true bugs) Spiders Ants Moths Carabid beetles (ground beetles) Stygofauna (groundwater animals) 5

6 Whit ite- be llie d se a ea gl e (Ha H liae aeetus leu euco coga ster er Ge of f Wh alanan 6

animals that inhabit the traditional lands of the Olkola Aboriginal people. square kilometres of rugged and remote country in central Cape York.

These include the Cape York Rock Wallaby (Petrogale coenensis) and golden-shouldered parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius), for which the Olkola lands are an important refuge.

7 animals that inhabit the traditional lands of the Olkola Aboriginal people. square kilometres of rugged and remote country in central Cape York. The seasonally wet rainfall of the region and and patches of remnant rainforest which These ecosystems shelter a range of elsewhere due to disruption of their habitat. These include the Cape York Rock Wallaby (Petrogale coenensis) and golden-shouldered parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius), for which the Olkola lands are an important refuge. Known golden-shouldered parrots were once widespread throughout Cape York, but are now restricted to less than 3,000 birds in two isolated populations. for tens of thousands of years. Today it Olkola Traditional Owners, who continue to use the natural resources of the area, maintain cultural traditions and use traditional land management techniques unique habitats and ecosystems. work closely with Traditional Owners, who will assist scientists by sharing their while the scientists share their expertise Following the expedition we will scientists collect to the Olkola Aboriginal information they can use to manage the Other animals that call the Olkola lands home include the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) and the near-threatened Jabiru (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) along with species such as the freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and dingo (Canis lupus dingo) that make north Queensland such a draw card for Cape York is home to an enormous Blitz expedition will be by far the largest new to science. Little red tre ree frog (LiL tori a rubella), one of se veral 7

Jo Har di ng Bush Blitz TeachLive is an innovative Earthwatch Australia.

opportunity to work with scientists in the No special skills are required.

project staff will be the opportunity to use include: insects reptiles and

8 Jo Har di ng Bush Blitz TeachLive is an innovative Earthwatch Australia. It gives teachers the Bush Blitz TeachLive website,. opportunity to work with scientists in the No special skills are required. All research techniques will be taught on site, and the scientists and project staff will be the opportunity to use include: insects reptiles and small mammals true bugs and other insects from their host plants Kate Cus wort rth and animal species 8

9 Cass ssan dra Nich chol ols Website management training will expedition. They will then use Web2 technologies to communicate with their Posting lesson plans for the week they their replacement teacher) Posting daily diaries and blogs Holding online forums Video conferencing using external platforms such as Skype Through seeing their teachers conduct sessions and online forums - students and build their core skills in science, geography and other subjects. where teachers can learn about science gain knowledge about Australia s unique plants, animals and ecosystems. experience, and teachers return to their schools with newfound enthusiasm for teaching science, and for sharing their new knowledge and skills with their school community. neighbourhood mini Bush Blitz s with their students, partner with scientists so their classes can undertake original research on local species and conduct Olkola Bush Blitz TeachLiveJuly

10 Pe ta Jacks on (Ro Rose sewo od Sta te Hig igh Sc hool ol) coll ecti ng liche hens wit ith Bruc e Pa to n 10

site. Accommodation is likely to be in tents, with some possibility of staying in basic Earthwatch will purchase your plane tickets (and, if necessary, accommodation) to and phones and UHF radios for

11 site. Accommodation is likely to be in tents, with some possibility of staying in basic Earthwatch will purchase your plane tickets (and, if necessary, accommodation) to and phones and UHF radios for emergencies. The Bush Blitz expedition will supply an internet connection, so that teachers can application form at the Australian Science Teachers Association website: Bruce Paton Chris Gi llies Olkola Bush Blitz TeachLiveJuly

STRATEGIC PLAN Keeping nature safe from dangerous new invaders

STRATEGIC PLAN Keeping nature safe from dangerous new invaders STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-2022 Keeping nature safe from dangerous new invaders Building an informed & motivated community Builds political support & contributes to solutions Leading to a good biosecurity system