KONGWAK PS WORKSHOP with GIO FITZPATRICK

Kongwak Primary School students were visited by award-winning naturalist and nest box designer Gio Fitzpatrick today, who led an educational workshop on nest boxes and what makes a sustainable forest within their “Sustainable Kongwak” class. 

The first of three expert-led workshops with KPS, these events form part of Kongwak Hills Landcare Group’s broader “Love your Reserve” project, focusing on community education, preservation and restoration of the neighbouring Kongwak Pioneer Reserve. 

The students listened in as Gio explained how he and his friends are currently contributing to the preservation of the Swift Parrot population in Tasmania, building, installing and monitoring special-designed nest boxes - watch here. 

Like the Swift Parrots, many species of our native wildlife are dependant on hollows in established forest trees to breed. With already depleated and futher decline to habitat, and hollows taking anywhere between 80-120 years to naturally form, nest boxes can provide a temporary home for our feathered and furry friends until vegetation matures. 

Gio’s wealth of knowledge in this area is perfectly paired with the “Suswak” class’s current project, where teacher Damian Howard has been successful in securing funding for 50 nest boxes, that he and the KPS students are busily building together in their Friday class. 

Today, the Suswak crew were able to walk over to the Pioneer Reserve with Gio where they picked out suitable areas for the nest boxes to be installed. 
After installation, KHLG will be able to support Damian and the students further with use of the group’s special nest box monitoring equipment. 
​
Come breeding season, it will be exciting to share the experience of observing who moves in to start the next generation of our unique native wildlife. 
​
Thanks to support from South Gippsland Shire Council for funding toward this event.