Regent Honeyeater School Insitu Project

The Regent Honeyeater National Recovery Team has determined that community education is an essential element in the process of Regent Honeyeater conservation.

Taronga Education Centre’s Regent Honeyeater School Insitu Project equips students and staff with the knowledge, skill and passion to help conserve the species. In this way the insitu project reaches into the whole community, again, improving the outlook for the Regent Honeyeater.

Capertee Valley, NSW and Chiltern, VIC are 2 regions identified as critical to the survival of the Regent Honeyeater. Now in its 3rd year, the Taronga Education Centre’s insitu project continues to provide students with invaluable experiences and opportunities to act towards Regent Honeyeater conservation.

Students from 5 different schools have participated in the program, undertaking activities such as habitat restoration, nest box building, bird identification, bird monitoring and bird tracking techniques. Key personnel from the National Recovery team, together with Taronga Zoo Education, Bird Keeping and Horticulture staff, have dedicated significant and valuable time to the students, imparting their knowledge and experience and ultimately instilling a passion for Regent Honeyeater conservation.

In 2011 the project will see the construction of a working hothouse in each of the Capertee schools. These hothouses will enable students to grow seedlings throughout the year and use the plants to build habitat in and around the school community.

In 2011 the school Insitu project will also be responsible for 1000 trees planted in the Capertee Valley, in support of habitat regeneration. Students, their families, school staff, Taronga Zoo staff and other volunteers will work together to ensure this worthwhile contribution.

The Taronga Education Centre School Insitu Project began in the Capertee Valley and expanded to the Chiltern area. It would be amazing to see it grow into the whole distribution area of the threatened Regent honeyeater.

Click here to visit the Taronga Zoo Education Centre website.

Rod Cheal with Aliy Della Libera

Students being shown how to plant trees