Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit

Transcription

1 Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit Developed by The Wetlands Environmental Education Centre for Lake Macquarie City Council

2 Contents PART A Background Information Page 3 A1 - Introduction Page 4 A2 - Syllabus Outcomes Page 5 A3 - About The Croudace Bay Wetlands Page 6 A4 - Guidelines for School Visits Page 8 PART B - Activities Page 9 B1 - Counting Wetland Wildlife Page 10 B2 - Water Bug Surveys Page 11 B3 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Diary Page 15 B4 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Database Page 20 B5 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Quiz Page 21 Part C Other Resources Page 24 C1 Wildlife identification Resources Page 25 C2 Interpretive Signage Page 26 C3 Evaluation Form Page 27 The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 2

3 PART A BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 3

4 A1 - Introduction The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit is designed to help primary schools explore and learn about the Croudace Bay Wetlands and their role in improving water quality in Lake Macquarie. The kit will assist schools in addressing the intended outcomes of the recently released Environmental Education Policy for Schools in NSW. The Kit has three parts: Part A Background Information This outlines the various syllabus outcomes that the kit delivers, provides information about the wetlands and includes guidelines for school visits. Part B - Activities This section includes five activities, which should be considered as a starting point to introduce students to wetland environments, catchments and stormwater issues. Schools may develop other activities as they become familiar with the wetlands. (It is recommended that you photocopy the activity sheets to hand out to students and keep the original pages as a master copy). Part C Other Resources This section includes identification sheets for wildlife and a copy of the interpretive signs that have been installed around the northern wetland (& an accompanying pamphlet) to assist with the activities in Part B as well as an evaluation form for schools to provide feedback about the kit. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit was developed by the education staff from The Wetlands Environmental Education Centre at The Wetlands Centre, Shortland and was funded by Lake Macquarie City Council. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 4

5 A2 - Syllabus Outcomes HSIE OUTCOMES EARLY STAGE 1 - ENS1 Gathers information about natural and built environments and communicates some of the ways in which they interact with, and care for, these environments. STAGE 1 - ENS1.6 Demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between environments and people. STAGE 2 - ENS2.6 Describes peoples interactions with environments and identifies responsible ways of interacting with environments. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OUTCOMES STAGE 1 Some living things change according to the seasons. Observe using all the senses. Be curious about the natural and man-made environments. STAGE 2 Plants and animals live in environments that supply their needs. Living things depend on other living things to survive. There are benefits and problems associated with the human changes to the physical environment. Make accurate observations and describe these observations, or record them as diagrams, tables of data and graphs. STAGE 3 The activities of people can change the balance of nature. There are many physical phenomena that change the environment. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 5

6 A3 - About The Croudace Bay Wetlands The Croudace Bay Wetlands are located on the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie. The wetlands were constructed in 1998 to treat stormwater runoff from developed areas within the Croudace Bay catchment and to help protect water quality in Lake Macquarie. The wetlands receive water from a catchment of 70 hectares (shown in the figure below) that covers the southern part of Eleebana. Rain falling in the catchment flows through a network of gutters, pipes and waterways, then through the wetlands and into Sheppard s Creek, which flows into Lake Macquarie. Before the wetlands were constructed straight concrete channels carried stormwater directly into Lake Macquarie. Now, stormwater is being slowed down as it flows along a winding course through the wetlands. As a result, many pollutants are removed from the stormwater before it enters the lake. Although the wetlands were constructed primarily for stormwater treatment, they also provide a valuable wildlife habitat and a pleasant environment for recreation. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 6

7 The Croudace Bay Wetlands - Site Map The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 7

8 A4 - Guidelines for School Visits When organising a school visit to the Croudace Bay Wetlands it is suggested that you: Consider recent and forecasted weather. Avoid wet weather as this can result in muddy ground and flash flooding. Determine the most suitable sample locations if dip-netting or testing water quality (check both wetlands as one may be more accessible than the other). Plant growth may restrict access, so locations that are suitable during one visit may not be suitable in several months time. Explain to students that the edges may be muddy and to be careful not to slip (and try to avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging vegetation). Make use of the interpretive signage at the wetlands to explain how the wetlands work and their role in stormwater management. Resources & equipment to take with you when visiting the wetlands could include: bird, plant and water bug identification sheets dip-nets and trays for sampling water bugs pencils and paper camera hats, sunscreen & insect repellent first-aid kit For more information on resources available or for assistance with planning your next visit contact Lake Macquarie City Council on The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 8

9 PART B ACTIVITIES The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 9

10 B1 - Counting Wetland Wildlife There are many opportunities to use numbers at the Croudace Bay Wetlands. This is a simple activity using a set of identification cards for different species of animals found at the wetlands. The activity encourages students to look for some of the species that may be often seen at the wetlands. 1. Identification cards are provided for the following species, which were recorded at the wetlands during early Chestnut Teal Wood Duck Pacific Black Duck Moorhen Swamphen White-faced Heron Australasian Grebe Damselfly Dragonfly Mosquito Fish 2. Each student (or small group of students) is given a card and asked to look for their animal around the wetlands. 3. Once they have identified their animal they are asked to count how many of that animal they can find and record the number. 4. When the students return to school they can use the numbers to write reports or produce simple graphs. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 10

11 B2 - Water Bug Surveys The NSW Streamwatch Water Bug Survey has been held twice a year (in Autumn and Spring) since 1994 and mobilises hundreds of schools and community groups to visit their local waterway and survey water bugs. Water bugs (aquatic macroinvertebrates) are small, spineless creatures that spend all or part of their life in waterways. They include dragonflies, molluscs, shrimp, worms and beetles. The water bug survey provides valuable information about the health of our waterways because water bugs are excellent indicators of water quality. They are a major part of the aquatic food chain and some species are sensitive to even small amounts of pollution. What do we want to find out when we do a water bug survey? What types of species are present (sensitive or tolerant) How many different species are present (diversity) The number of individuals of each species (abundance) A healthy freshwater wetland provides a home for many types of water bugs. The Croudace Bay Wetlands provide an ideal location for schools to participate in the water bug survey. Participating in the survey gives students an opportunity to record interesting changes in the wetlands as new populations of animals arrive and the ecosystem develops. Sampling guidelines, a results sheet and an identification sheet for water bugs are provided in this kit. For further information about the Water Bug Survey visit the NSW Streamwatch website: The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 11

12 Water Bug Surveys 1. Fill tray with water to several centimetres deep. 2. Use a dip-net to take a sample from the shallow water at the edge of the wetland, amongst water plants if possible (simple and effective dip-nets can be made using a 20 cm plastic sieve, a piece of dowel and shrink-wrap available from hardware stores). 3. Use the pictures on the freshwater macroinvertebrates identification sheet to identify the bugs 4. Use the results sheet to record the species of bugs and numbers of each that you found. 5. When you have recorded your results, return the bugs to the water (to the same place you caught them from) - be gentle with them! 6. Follow the procedure on p. 14 to work out the water pollution index and water quality rating for the wetlands. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 12

13 Water Bug Survey Results Date : Sample location : Species Number found The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 13

14 Water Quality Rating 1. In column 2, enter the number of each bug you found Number found 2. Look at the table on the right and find the Weight (Column 2) Factor for the number of each bug found 3. Enter the Weight Factor for each bug in Column 3 4. Multiply the Bug Value (Column 1) by the Weight Factor (Column 3) and write the answer in Column 4 5. Add up Column 3 (Weight Factor) 6. Add up Column 4 (Bug Value x Weight Factor) 7. Divide the column 4 total by the column 3 total to calculate the water pollution index 8. Use the table on the right to work out the water quality rating Weight Factor (Column 3) >20 5 Water Pollution Index Water Quality Rating < 3 = = = 3 > 6 = 4 Sensitive Water Bugs Tolerant Water Bugs Water Bug Name Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Bug Value Yabbie / crayfish 8 Mayfly Nymph 7 Mussel 6 Caddisfly Larvae 6 Damselfly Nymph 6 Dragonfly Nymph 6 Shrimp 6 Water Mite 5 Hydra 4 Beetle Larvae 4 True Bugs (backswimmer, water boatman, water scorpion) Beetles 3 Leech 3 Snails 3 Flatworm 3 Mosquito Larvae 2 Midge Larvae 2 Fly Larvae 2 Worms 1 4 Number found Totals Weight factor Bug value x weight factor Water Pollution Index = Water Quality Rating = The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 14

15 B3 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Diary This activity encourages schools to develop a profile of the wetlands by collecting information on a regular basis and building up a picture of wetland characteristics. The Croudace Bay Wetlands are constructed wetlands and were designed to improve stormwater quality. They are a good copy of the natural wetlands that existed many years ago, before people built houses and roads. As the years go by the wetlands will gradually develop their own cycles, with water plants and animals coming & going as seasons and water levels change. You can record some of these changes by visiting the wetlands regularly, collecting a snapshot of information and recording it in a diary. Your visits may be once a term, once a month or following rain events. The main idea is to keep a record of the changes over time. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 15

16 The Croudace Bay Wetlands Diary Name: Date: What season is it? Describe the weather Today: Last week: What types of plants can you see? (tick the boxes & describe them or write the names of the species if you know what they are) Trees Shrubs Grasses Climbers Herbs Water plants (including algae) Others Are there any plants with flowers or seeds on them? (list them below) The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 16

17 What animals can you see (or hear)? (tick the boxes & describe them or write the names of the species if you know what they are) Birds Mammals Frogs Reptiles Insects Fish Describe the water level in the wetlands (high, low or average): What colour is the water in the wetlands? (clear, brown, muddy, etc.) Describe any smells you notice as you walk around the wetlands (fishy, earthy, musty, sewage, rotten egg gas, etc.): Describe any rubbish you can see on the banks of the wetlands or floating in the water: The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 17

18 Write four words which describe the wetlands Draw a picture of something you saw at the wetlands The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 18

19 Mark on this map the location of the things you saw today (use symbols or letters to represent different things, for example D = ducks, A = algae, R = reeds & rushes, L = litter): The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 19

20 B4 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Database There are many types of information that can be collected during visits to the Croudace Bay Wetlands. A simple database can be created to store this information and it will provide a valuable record of the Wetlands as they change over time. The advantage of a database is that students can pose questions about specific things, such as what time of year are dragonfly nymphs found in the wetlands?. This can be compared with rainfall data or seasons. Fields that could be included in the database: Species and numbers of birds Species and numbers of water bugs Species of plants Amount and types of material caught in the Gross Pollutant Traps Water level in the wetlands Date and time the information is recorded Weather during and preceding your visit Results from the diary or other activities that are undertaken by one class (or a number of classes) may be used in developing the database. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 20

21 B5 - The Croudace Bay Wetlands Quiz As you wander around the Croudace Bay Wetlands you will notice a number of signs (located around the northern wetland) which explain why the wetlands are here and how they are helping to protect the water quality in Lake Macquarie. If you have a look at these signs you might be able to find the answers to the following questions: 1. When were the Croudace Bay Wetlands constructed? 2. Why were the wetlands constructed? 3. How big is the catchment area that delivers water to the Croudace Bay Wetlands? 4. What is the name of the creek that flows into Croudace Bay? 5. What is a GPT? 6. What is one type of gross pollutant that you can see today? 7. What are some of the other pollutants carried by stormwater? The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 21

22 8. What is sediment? 9. How do aquatic plants improve the quality of stormwater? 10. What is the island for? 11. How long does it take for a drop of water to get from the inlet to the outlet? 12. What is the best way to protect stormwater and our waterways? 13. List 3 things that everyone can do to help protect our waterways? The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 22

23 The Croudace Bay Wetlands Quiz (teacher s copy) 1. When were the Croudace Bay wetlands constructed? (1998) 2. Why were the wetlands constructed? (To treat stormwater runoff from developing areas in the Croudace Bay catchment) 3. How big is the catchment area that delivers water to the Croudace Bay wetlands? (70 hectares) 4. What is the name of the creek that flows into Croudace Bay? (Sheppards Creek) 5. What is a GPT? (Gross Pollutant Trap) 6. What is one example of a gross pollutant that you can see today? (litter, sediments, leaves, tree branches, etc.) 7. What are some of the other pollutants carried by stormwater? (oil, litter, pet droppings, grass clippings, sediment, nutrients) 8. What is sediment? (soil in the wrong place) 9. How do aquatic plants improve the quality of stormwater? (by taking up nutrients and trapping fine sediments) 10. What is the island for? (to provide a refuge for native birds and other wildlife, protecting them from introduced predators such as cats & dogs) 11. How long does it take for a drop of water to get from the inlet to the outlet? (one hour) 12. What is the best way to protect stormwater and our waterways? (stop pollution at its source) 13. List 3 things that everyone can do to help protect our waterways (Sweep up leaves and grass clippings; wash cars on the lawn, at a carwash or without detergent; use fertilisers and herbicides carefully; put rubbish and pet droppings in the bin; install a rainwater tank) The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 23

24 PART C OTHER RESOURCES The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 24

25 C1 - Wildlife Identification Resources This section includes identification sheets for wildlife that you may find in and around the Croudace Bay Wetlands. Sheets are included for water bugs (aquatic macroinvertebrates), birds and plants. Other useful references that may assist you with wildlife identification include: Robinson, L. 1997, Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney; Kangaroo Press, Sydney Sainty, G., Hosking J., Abell, P., Jacobs, S. & Dalby-Ball, M. 2000; Burnum Burnum s Wildthings; Sainty & Associates, Sydney Pizzey, G. & Knight, F. 1997, Field Guide to the Birds of Australia; Angus & Robertson, Sydney Barker, J., Grigg, G. & Tyler, M. 1995; A Field Guide to Australian Frogs; Surrey Beatty & Sons, Sydney The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 25

26 C2 Interpretive Signage This section includes photocopies of the 5 interpretive signs that were installed around the northern wetland in August It also includes a copy of a pamphlet that was produced as a guide for visitors to the wetlands. The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 26

27 C3 - Evaluation Thankyou for using the Croudace Bay Education Kit. To help improve and build on the kit and to provide feedback on Council s environmental education initiatives, could you please take the time to complete and return the following evaluation form. 1. How did you hear about the education kit? 2. How many times has your school visited the Croudace Bay Wetlands? 3. Describe student groups that have used the education kit: 4. Please list the activities in this kit that you have done: 5. How would you rate the following? (please tick the relevant box) Very good Good Fair Poor Very poor Background information Activities & resources Access to other information Interpretive signage at the wetlands 6. Do you have any other suggestions for environmental education initiatives relating to the Croudace Bay Wetlands, or any other general comments? School: Contact person: The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 27

28 Please return the survey to: Environmental Planning Department Lake Macquarie City Council Mail: Box 1906 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310 Fax : The Croudace Bay Wetlands Education Kit 28