The CEEA FROG ZONE project will gradually establish wetland sites in school environments across Australia. A unit with guidelines will be promoted, including teaching strategies and curriculum links to support schools in the development of model wetland habitats in school grounds in each State and Territory. This will be promoted through a selection of seven pilot schools, initially involving the States of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Frogs are an icon animal and are found in a wide range of habitats from desert to sub-alpine regions. They are part of our learning culture and attract children’s interest at all levels. They are now well recognised as an important indicator of environmental health, and their global decline is a matter of international concern.
The Frog education Panel will support schools throughout the process below:
» One pilot school has been selected in NSW and two each in Victoria, Tasmania and Northern Territory to develop a wetland habitat on their grounds, following guidelines provided. » Each school will have an instructional kit, teaching resources, networking support, assistance from a co-ordinator and promotion on the CEEAustralia website. » Each school will be encouraged to develop a management plan, maintain a photographic record of the site, provide follow-up reports for the website and allow media involvement during a launch of the completed site. » Schools will be encouraged to form partnership agreements with the local council, (promoted through the Australian Local Government Association), support the council should further wetlands be developed within Municipalities, and form other local community links through the program. » Visits to the school will be sought from local frog groups or other interest groups. » Schools will play a leadership role by helping to form a network with other schools interested in joining the program. » The assistance of the media will be sought to raise awareness of the program and its benefits to both frogs and the community, and to help establish ongoing financial support through involvement of community and business links. » The newly established sites will be monitored and results of interest posted on this website.
Why Wetlands? Half the lowland wetlands in Australia have been degraded or lost in the last 200 years. Wetlands provide important habitats for birds, frogs, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals and plants.
Why Frogs? Wetlands provide important habitat for threatened species - such as the rare and vulnerable Green and Gold Frogs Litoria reniformis and Litoria aurea. A greater diversity of frog species breed in small wetland sites such as roadside ditches and small swampy areas.
Why Schools? Schools and communities are showing increasing concern about the plight of frogs and their habitats. Schoolgrounds are ideal areas for the creation of smaller wetland areas which frogs need.Wetland habitats in school grounds provide important habitat for local species and a focus of interest in the grounds which encourages ownership and conservation values. This project addresses many areas of the school curriculum and in particular, seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the central roles which Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship play in Australia’s economic and social well-being.