News Release March 23st, 2009
Students to become fledgling marine park scientists
Marine Park rangers with the Batemans Marine Park have been busy this month bringing wonders of the marine park to the schoolchildren lucky enough to live near Batemans Marine Park.
Earlier this month as part of Sea Week school excursions to Shelly Beach, at Moruya Heads, were held in partnership with the Batemans Marine Park, the Nature Coast Marine Group and the Eurobodalla Shire Council. At Shelly Beach Year 6 students from Moruya Public School were able to become fledgling marine scientists.
Ranger Sham Eichmann said the students used quadrants on the rock platform to look at the changes between the plants and animals living in the inter-tidal zone, and the differences in plants and animals between high and low tide.
“The students learned about how the animals survive out of the water at low tide. Some inter-tidal invertebrates were also collected and a touch tank set up. The kids looked at turban snails, elephant snails, sea urchins, cartrut shells and abalone,” she said.
“The students also learned about indigenous cultural links to the coast and the importance of the coastal environment as a source of food for Koori people. The students were told indigenous stories about amazing sea animals such as starfish.”
Batemans Marine Park rangers also attended an environment forum at Bodalla Public School earlier this month. Students from a number of local primary schools attended where they learnt about the importance of sanctuaries in the marine park. The advisory trailer was on display with touch tanks set up to show the students different invertebrates found along the rocky shores in the marine park.
The marine park trailer has also recently visited Narooma Public School where Ms Eichmann talked about exploring the marine park through beach combing, snorkelling and diving.
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