Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia
Region
Oceania
Country
Australia
Flyway
East Asian - Australasian flyway
Initiative
WLI Oceania
About
Shortland Wetlands Trust Inc
Funding support: Self funded and through successful applications for grants and sponsorship
Number of staff: Approx 6 full time equivalent paid staff, between 150-200 volunteers spread throughout teams and operational requirements
Number of visitors per year: 25,913 unique visitors in 2011 annual report
Overall aims of the centre
Established in 1985 as Australia's first wetlands centre. Not for profit, and registered charity. We aim to provide a working example of a community operated centre managing a 45Ha ramsar wetland, including conservation and land management, education, ecotourism, and providing a relevant experience to the visiting public.
Description of the centre
45ha site, listed for its support of the Egret breeding season, mix of man made and natural wetlands, provision of habitat for the Australasian bittern and other wetland, shore and woodland birds, has over 250 recorded species of avi-fauna and fauna, reptiles and other life on site not to mention local flora. Provides facilities for the general public, canoeing, bbq’s, and so on…
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials;Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Managing / creating habitat; Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Working with disabled people; Engaging hard-to-reach groups; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Working with primary schools; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; PR and marketing; Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.
Annual reports provide good information and our members newsletter ‘The Wetlander’ is a great source of stories and activities reporting about what goes on at the centre. We also have the Wetlands Environmental Education Centre run by the NSW Department of Education on site.
Lots of school groups visit the centre every year and use the site to perform curriculum studies and get involved in special events
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