Hay wetlands showcased

St Mary's Catholic school primary students heading down to the river to Madmen's bend.

Murrumbidgee Landcare recently organised some school presentations and a field day in and around Hay as part of a project designated ‘Why Wetlands? The idea was to promote the value of natural wetlands in rangeland areas to local primary school children and the general public. Rangeland areas can appear dry and barren to the untrained eye but they usually have extensive wetlands that experience alternative cycles of flooding and drought. These areas are extremely important for human health and the environment. The Riverina region contains highly significant wetlands and grazing management to improve their health is critical given that half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed in the last 100 years.

An important component of the 'Why Wetlands? project was the schools day. Wildlife ecologist Matt Herring gave two slide presentations to years 4, 5 and 6 of St Mary’s primary and Hay Public primary school students. More than 90 kids (and 5 teachers) were introduced to wetlands of the Amazon and Australia and some of the creatures that live there. Lots of questions were asked and Matt’s enthusiasm for his topic was obvious.

The slide presentation was followed by an excursion to the river. Each school was about a 10 minute walk from the nearest point on the Murrumbidgee river and Matt pointed out as many things as he could along the way, trying his best to convey why wetlands are important, how we can look after them and what critters make them their home.

Down at the river with St Mary's Catholic upper primary.

The field day was an opportunity for the public to get a close up look at some wetlands on private property in the Hay area and how they are being managed to improve their health. Commencing 10 am at One Tree, north of Hay, a small group was given a guided four wheel drive tour of “Lara”, “Tarana” and “Ulonga” properties owned by Ben and Kate Barlow.

Checking out the wetland areas on Ben Barlow's property Lara

Ben Barlow was the perfect host and more than happy to discuss the work being done on his 32000 ha and future projects. The amount of planning and investment that has already been undertaken was very impressive and Ben is monitoring outcomes over time with annual assessments; something land managers (and government investment programs) often fail to do.  The condition of the land is already significantly improved with careful management of grazing and water which is a very positive outcome for wetland conservation.

The field day was very nearly cancelled at the eleventh hour due to rain, but it turned out to be a beautiful day rounded off by lunch among the gum trees in the home paddock at Ulonga.

Wetland area on "Ulong" near to where we had lunch.