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Offsite Education Experiences
Perth Zoo
This national program, coordinated by Perth Zoo and sponsored by Tiwest, invites all Australians to take part in a spotlight fauna survey in their local area and record sightings of marsupials and other native animals and exotic pests. This is the largest fauna survey undertaken by the public to investigate the diversity and abundance of marsupials throughout Australia. The program aims to increase the public awareness of the threats facing our native marsupials as well as to collect valuable scientific data.
General public, schools, scouts and guides, mining companies, tertiary institutions, naturalists groups, landcare groups, bushcare groups, ‘friends of’ groups, bushwalking groups, wildlife carers, state and territory wildlife agencies, environmental educators and zoos - basically everyone!
Surveys can be conducted on any night from 1 September through to 16 October. Participants choose whether to survey on one night or over several nights. Participants also choose the survey area.
Free - unless hosted by an organisation that needs to cover costs, for example, NSW Parks and Wildlife Discovery Tour operators have offered Night Stalks that are open to the general public and they charge participants a minimal fee to cover costs.
Nil.
The national marketing campaign includes: long lead media releases and launch day media release to major metro and regional TV, print and radio; direct-mail to previous participants and all state conservation agencies; electronic promotion to the Threatened Species Network, AAEE, tourism groups, scouting and guide groups, and conservation groups; advertising to all Australian schools through the Australian Science Teachers Association; and through articles in select publications.
National Coordinator employed by Perth Zoo and funded by Tiwest.
Tiwest, ARAZPA zoos, and State and Territory wildlife agencies.
Nine page information pack which includes details on how to get involved; how to spotlight; reference list; technical information; post-survey activity suggestions and recording sheets. The website at www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/nightstalk has answers to FAQs and an example of a spotters log; spotters log and kit that can be downloaded and printed; links to state and territory wildlife agencies; tips and the do’s and don’ts of spotlighting; amazing marsupial facts; history of the project; marsupial gallery; technical information; post-survey activity suggestions; information on how to help marsupials, etc. The website also displays all of the Night Stalk results since 1999 with information on each bioregion of Australia.
Results are displayed within the relevant bioregion and published on the Night Stalk website for public access. Information includes the number of participants; number of bioregions surveyed; number of hours spent surveying; type of participant (i.e. school group, friends of group); number of species sighted; number of surveys that recorded a marsupial or feral pest; and number of kilometres covered.
Relevant results are sent to each state and territory wildlife agency.
Lyndsay Fairdough, telephone +61 8 9474 0497 or email nightstalk@perthzoo.wa.gov.au.
 Online Education Experiences
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Offsite Education Experiences
ARAZPA Education Policy
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