MidCoast Council, together with the Manning Regional Art Gallery, Aussie Ark and the Manning River Turtle Group are inviting teachers and students to participate in an art project that connects people with nature by bringing awareness to the endangered Manning River helmeted turtle.
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This project is part of 'withNature2020', a global initiative that actively aims to raise awareness of the extinction crisis and engage the public in the conservation and care of biodiversity.
'withNature2020' aims to engage people with the need to protect the diversity in their local ecosystem, wherever they are, and to create a visually memorable mass event that will focus a spotlight on biodiversity and convince world leaders that people care.
In May 2021, signatories to the Convention on Biodiversity will make decisions that may determine whether we reverse the trend towards species extinction, 'withNature2020' is an international creative call to protect all species.
Students from local schools will create baby Manning River Helmeted Turtles using sticks, wool and a simple weaving technique as shown in this video on YouTube https://youtu.be/_r4BrX3g6gs.
All art works will be gathered and displayed in the shape of a giant turtle at the 'withNature2020' event planned for late May, to correspond with the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 and the International Day for Biological Diversity. The large display aims to highlight endangered species and alert global leaders to the issue of local biodiversity loss.
"Students will learn about our precious turtle that's found only in the Manning, as well as things they can do to protect aquatic wildlife such as avoiding single-use plastics, putting litter in the bin and following the 'Take 3' motto to pick up rubbish around waterways," MidCoast Council public programs and education engagement officer, Ali Haigh said.
Art packs are being distributed to schools that have signed up, with the team hoping to get as many local schools involved as possible.
"We'd love to see all local schools taking part, there's still time to register and come on board," Ali said.
A live Zoom webinar is being held this Wednesday, March 3 at 11am with special guests including wildlife experts, to inform teachers and students all about the Manning River Helmeted Turtle and what makes it so special.
To find out more and register your school for the webinar, visit the project page on Council's website www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/turtleartproject or contact Ali Haigh on 6592 5455.
