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desertSMART EcoFair

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Land for Wildlife had a huge weekend at the desertSMART EcoFair (organised by the Arid Lands Environment Centre), which is Central Australia’s leading science and sustainability event. The event kicked off on Friday with the Eco-Science Schools Day at Olive Pink Botanic Garden (OPBG), who has been a registered and highly active Land for Wildlife property for nearly ten years.

Costa Georgiadis had the students all revved up for a weekend of learning about science and the environment, linking into National Science Week. Various groups hosted workshops on the day, including Parks and Wildlife Commission NT, Shell Questacon Science Circus, Engineers Without Borders Australia, Alice Springs Town Council and Live & Learn.

Land for Wildlife was joined by four school groups on the day: Araluen Christian College classes seven and nine, Yipirinya class six and various home school students from around the region. The session involved a walk around OPBG to 12 positioned letters (spelling ‘Biodiversity’), where each letter represented an aspect of flora and fauna. For example, the letter ‘V’ stood for variety, where students were asked to see how many species they could find in the vicinity. Upon completion, students rearranged the letters – what a smart bunch!

The weekend was full of EcoFair events and activities, but finished up on Sunday at the Alice Springs Desert Park with the Eco-Markets. Land for Wildlife was there to talk to market-goers about the programme and our current projects. Thanks to ALEC for organising another great event!

Students get ready for an action-packed EcoFair Schools Day
Students get ready for an action-packed EcoFair Schools Day
Costa and the students in fits of laughter
Costa and the students in fits of laughter
Costa Georgiadis, Jimmy Cocking (ALEC) and Carmel Vandermolen (ALEC) kick off events at the EcoFair 2016.
Costa Georgiadis, Jimmy Cocking (ALEC) and Carmel Vandermolen (ALEC) kick off events at the EcoFair 2016.
Students rearrange letters to spell 'Biodiversity'
Students rearrange letters to spell ‘Biodiversity’
Yipirinya students learn about biodiversity
Yipirinya students learn about biodiversity
Yipirinya student showing some skills
Yipirinya student showing some skills
Costa Georgiadis learning about the current projects at Land for Wildlife
Costa Georgiadis learning about the current projects at Land for Wildlife