December 2010
7 December 2010
Congratulations to Strathpine State School who were recently named winners of Australia Zoo's 2010 Khaki It! School Challenge.
Strathpine State School Teacher, Helen Hamill, heard about the challenge through an education workshop at Australia Zoo, was instrumental in demonstrating the school's achievements.
Sustainability and green thinking flowed through many projects at Strathpine school, immersing students in environmental activity. Students got down and dirty at the local creek and analysed the health of the waterway; they surveyed the local wildlife and plants, identifying and eradicating pest species and they took on-board the latest sustainability in schools practises with worm-farms, water tanks and outdoor learning areas.
The attitude towards sustainability also spilled into art projects, open days and fundraising activities. Students collected discarded mobile phones for Australia Zoo's Answer the Call campaign, which raises much needed funds for gorilla conservation.
This breadth of activity was in keeping with the school's mission: "To adopt a holistic approach in order to embed environmental and conservation awareness and action into the everyday culture of the school and its wider community". It was this everyday culture approach that impressed the judges of The Khaki It! School Challenge.
Congratulations to Helen and all the students at Strathpine State School. You're all Wildlife Warriors!
6 October 2010
We are excited to be launching our brand new Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre later this month. This fantastic new facility will provide a great new resource for educating visiting school groups on Australia Zoo's conservation programs and all things wildlife! State-of-the-art education facilities, will assist us in getting these messages out to our future generations.
Sponsored by Nestlè Peters, the Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre comprises three classrooms, each with its own environmental theme - Ocean, Wetlands and Outback - inspired by Steve Irwin's own wildlife adventures. Images of Steve, Terri, Bindi and Robert adorn the walls, as well as inspiring quotes from Steve about wildlife conservation.
The official launch of the Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre is set to coincide with the official national launch of Children's Week - a week dedicated to the celebration and education of children. Australia Zoo is a strong supporter of the Queensland Children's Week Association, having held the launch or closing event at Australia Zoo for the last three years, and the support of Terri, Bindi and Robert as Family Ambassadors, has highlighted the work that we do with children.
Stay tuned for more exciting news!
