Kids for Saving Earth is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to educate, inspire, and empower children to protect the Earth's environment.
It provides information for children on issues such as conservation and endangered species, and also co-ordinates local activities for children to become involved in environmental issues in their own community.
Kids for Saving Earth is suitable for children of all ages, as well as adults. Members receive a joining certificate, membership card and a monthly newsletter.
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NOVEMBER NEWS
Water bug Activity: WerribeeRiver
Our first KSE activity was lots of fun – for both kids and adults! Sam from Waterwatch took us for a walk along the river, explaining about local animal life and the effects of pollution on the river system. He then collected some water for us to catch and identify different bugs that we found. These included dragonfly larvae, tiny shrimp, snails and worms. Thanks Sam for a great day!
WYNDHAM,
THE KAKADU OF THE SOUTH?
Here is an easy question - which part ofAustralia has more endangered species,KakaduNational Park or Wyndham?
Some people may find it hard to believe but Wyndham has more endangered species than Kakadu National Park, with species such as the Striped Legless Lizard, Plains Wanderer, Growling Grass Frog, Spiny Rice-flower, Button Wrinklewort, Southern Shepherd’s Purse, Tough Scurf-pea, Sunshine Diuris, Basalt Peppercress, Large-fruit Fireweed and Matted Flax-lily listed as endangered either nationally or at a state level, and they are all found in the basalt grasslands and waterways of Wyndham.
The next time you hear ofAustralia’s places of environmental importance and species being threatened with extinction, you don’t have to cast your mind to the more remote or exotic locations inAustralia, you need look no further than your own back yard! The protection of Wyndham’s dwindling significant natural environment is critical to the survival of these endangered species.
Each month in our newsletter we will feature one of our locally found endangered species. Keep an eye out for them on your travels!
Creature Feature:
Growling Grass Frog
The Growling Grass frog is bright emerald to dark olive green with brown or gold blotches on its warty back and is about 6cm long. Its eggs are coloured and float in a jelly raft and tadpoles are pinkish grey with yellowish fins. Adult frogs eat other small frogs and small water insects and animals.
Adults are found close to or in water in very wet areas in woodlands and shrublands. Once widespread, now it is only locally common to specific areas inEastern Victoria. Some reasons for their low numbers may be infection (Chytrid fungus), high levels of UV radiation, long periods of drought, mosquito fish (eat tadpoles), contaminants like herbicides, and removal of native vegetation.
The Growling Grass Frog is listed as Vulnerable nationally and Endangered inVictoria. It was once common and widespread inMelbourne’s Basalt Plains, but has declined significantly within the past twenty years. Werribee Open Range Zoo is home to one of the few remaining populations of Growling Grass Frogs.
growling grass frog
striped legless lizard
NATIONAL TREE DAY
What is National Tree Day?
National Tree Day is held on the last Sunday of July and is a day for all Australians to help out by planting native trees and shrubs at a Tree Day site in their local area. The planting of these local trees helps to provide food and shelter for Australia’s wildlife, increasing the native biodiversity and combating the habitat loss that threatens much of our wildlife. Co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Jon Dee in 1996, to date more than 1.5 million volunteers have planted over 11.5 million native trees and shrubs!
KSE ACTIVITY
TREE PLANTING DAY SATURDAY 2nd August
9.30am start
WerribeeOpenRange Zoo, K Road Werribee
To help us celebrate National Tree Planting Day, the Werribee Zoo has organised our very own Tree planting activity, to help us restore the habitat along the WerribeeRiver. This will encourage numbers of our locally endangered species by providing them with more food and shelter. Extensive tree planting at Werribee Open Range Zoo over the past 10 years has led to a dramatic increase in its native bird population. More than 160 bird species have been recorded on the zoo's 225-hectare property, almost twice the number recorded 10 years ago when surveys began. The revegetation program has also led to a significant resurgence in other native animals including owls, possums and frogs. This could not have been achieved with out the help of volunteer tree planters.
We will begin at , have a picnic lunch, then finish off with a complimentary safari tour in the afternoon. Entry is free! Please make sure you bring along sturdy shoes, gardening gloves, warm clothes, a picnic lunch and plenty of water to drink. Please let us know if you will be coming before Friday 25th July on 9742 6311.
Make Your Own Recycled Paper!!
Here is a quick and easy recipe for making new paper out of old newspaper. Try this at home.
Tear up a sheet of newspaper into small pieces and soak in about 1/2 a litre of water.
Add 50 ml of starch 'solution' - ask an adult to help you make this solution by mixing 20ml (1Tbs) of starch powder with 40ml (2Tbs) of water in a kitchen blender.
Add a few drops of scented oil and 3 drops of food colouring, to give the paper a nice colour and scent.
Pour the mixture evenly over a fine wire screen (about A4 size), resting on sheets of newspaper to absorb excess moisture. Use a rolling pin to remove excess water.
Peel the wet paper from the screen and allow it to dry overnight.
Once dry, cut the paper to the size you require. It is easier to make large pieces of paper and cut them to size than trying to make lots of small pieces of paper.
Here are some ideas for using your ‘new’ paper:
Make birthday cards or Christmas cards
Use as wrapping paper or writing paper
Try making decorative imprints in your paper. After the paper is rolled out, place leaves or petals on the paper and use a rolling pin to gently push them into the pulp a little. When the paper is dry, peel them off to reveal interesting patterns.
Try matching scented oils and colours with the type of plants you imprint.
