Hosted by: New England Rikali and Platypus Group (NERP), supported by Australian Platypus Conservancy and NPA Armidale
The Springtime Platypus Picnic Afternoon Tea
The New England Rakali and Platypus Group (NERP) warmly invites you to join us for a Springtime Platypus Picnic Afternoon Tea.
Date: Saturday 19th October 2024
Time: from 2.30pm until dusk when platypus get active!
Venue: Commissioners Waters near Armidale. Map reference: left just after the Bridge at Commissioners Waters, Waterfall Way/B78
Transport: If you would like to car-pool meet at the Armidale Information Centre at 2pm.
Picnic edibles: BYO and extra, if you feel inclined to share a plate.
Activities: Indigenous perspectives, nature play, monitoring and recording techniques (bring your
phone/camera). Maybe we will even spot a platypus!
NERP has held several events over the last two years including a forum at UNE with platypus researchers and an online session with Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy.
The picnic is part of the Nature Conservation Council’s annual Picnic for Nature Weekend and will also be registered with the Australian Conservation Foundation as a community event and part of their current Platy-project (see their https://platy-project.acf.org.au/)
Picnic afternoon tea with:
Bruce Cohen, a Traditional Owner from the Gumbanynggir with ties to the Anaiwan and Thungutti Nations. Bruce has over 30 years’ experience in health, justice and cultural roles in government bodies and NGOs.
Dr Sue Elliott who has developed an early years’ resource kit for the Platypus and Rakali Project, which is currently on loan to local early childhood services and schools. Sue has been a leader in sustainability practices in early childhood education for over 25 years.
Dr Heidi Kolkert who will join us to talk about creating a community-based platypus project and how to effectively use camera traps. Heidi is a lecturer and fauna ecologist at the University of New England and relies on camera trapping and bioacoustics surveys to determine the presence of many cryptic animals.
We look forward to seeing you by the river!
Annette Kilarr, Amy Ashman, Bruce Cohen, Andrew Lawson, Elizabeth O’Hara and Sue Elliott For more information contact: [email protected]
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to elders, past and present. Sustainable Living Armidale pays tribute to their love of land, love of people and love of culture.
Please note that your RSVP information will be shared with co-host organisations.