Following on from my Bush Blitz field research expedition from late last year in the Eyre Peninsula, there was a grant available to increase biodiversity within your school community.

I applied with the intention of increasing the native bee and butterfly diversity at Coro.  It would mean that I could teach students at school the scientific skills I learnt whilst on my field trip.  Firstly, teaching students how to do an area survey, to then identify species and log these onto iNaturalist and ClimateWatch then researching native vegetation and doing some planting onsite. 

I was successful in receiving the grant and I plan on building a team of students to be “Butterfly and Bee specialists”.  These students will be invited to attend an excursion to the South Australian Museum and State Herbarium to broaden their understanding of the species found in our school area and the types of “food” (vegetation) that we should be planting.

We will collaborate with a native landscaping specialist, Trees for Life, Insect Investigators and Butterfly Conservation SA. 

The project will commence in Term 2 with plant purchasing, planting, mulching, irrigation, hotel construction and signage making as part of the ongoing project phases.

If you would like to assist in the project, please contact me on Sarah.Todd476@schools.sa.edu.au.

Sarah Todd

Science  Teacher