Sydney Olympic Park Wetland Education Centre
In their own words
The Badu Wetlands are 60ha in size, comprising 40ha Mangroves, 10ha saltmarsh, 10 ha waterbird refuge.
• The Park’s wetlands are registered by the Commonwealth and State governments as formal demonstration and specialist sites for ecological studies. These include the Green and Golden Bell Frog and Coastal Saltmarsh – two endangered species/ecosystems
• The wetlands of the Park (as a cluster) are listed on the Australian Wetlands of National Significance due to their very presence and particularly the educational opportunities that they hold
• The wetlands are Urban Hotspots for biodiversity and are considered as the most diverse urban park in the Sydney Bioregion
Every year over 20,000 students and teachers visit the wetlands to undertake hands-on curriculum linked guided excursions. The Education staff delivering the school excursion programs are skilled environmental educators, with a passion for wetland environments and their protection. Their knowledge is enhanced by continual professional development sessions with the organisation's Environment and Ecology team and Wetland Manager Dr Swapan Paul.
Our Wetland Centre is also a:
- hub for the Sydney Wetland Institute / Wetlands Education & Training Advisory Panel & industry partnerships
- studio for virtual programs and regional program reach
- meeting point for volunteer and NGO networks and citizen science activities
- home of research and industry training for best practice in wetlands management (WET program)
The judges loved
Good example of urban wetland management and education programme. Virtual online resource self-guided application. Most advanced type of centre, good facilities and programmes and well managed. Great videos, engage in many different segments of society.