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Offsite Education Experiences
Trees Paws and Claws
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Trees Paws and Claws is an authentic learning experience that utilises Werribee Open Range Zoos unique setting along the Werribee River. After meeting a species that has become locally extinct within the area, students investigate the needs of species that live, or used to live along the Werribee River, and assess the quality of this remnant habitat. The ultimate aim of the Trees Paws and Claws learning experience is to explore the issues associated with habitat loss, and to inspire community action. Once students leave Werribee Open Range Zoo, the learning experience continues as classes apply creative thinking to develop and implement fundraising strategies that communicate the effects of habitat loss. Once a class has raised $50, they are then able to select one of the 6 Trees Paws and Claws species to sponsor (species that live, or once lived along the Werribee River). The money enables Greenfleet to plant and maintain 5 native trees along the Werribee River on the schools behalf. This sponsorship initiative therefore allows schools to play an empowering role in restoring the habitat along the Werribee River, in the hope that these efforts will ultimately encourage native animals to return to their former home range. This meaningful outcome is one that harnesses student empowerment, and allows students to recognise that their contributions and efforts can make a difference!
Audience: Grade 3 – Year 8
At least 50 minutes is spent with an educator meeting a Trees Paws and Claws species and conducting a habitat assessment. However, the Trees Paws and Claws discovery session is only one part of the learning experience, and the fundraising component and further learning back at school is expected to take up to a full term.
$12.50 per student
Minimal set-up costs were required other than staff time and approximately $100 for visual aids.
The experience has received media attention through local papers and has been marketed via our website. The program heavily relies upon word of mouth and marketing at teacher professional development days.
Requires one staff member to manage the schools that book and participate in a session. This staff member needs to follow-up calls, track fundraising efforts, distribute certificates of recognition etc. One staff member is required to run the actual Trees Paws and Claws Discovery Session.
Greenfleet are a key contributor to this programs success as they provide the trees and habitat restoration expertise once the students have sponsored a Trees Paws and Claws species. The Werribee Open Range Zoo horticulture department also help strengthen the authenticity of this project by offering follow-up tree planting sessions (during the appropriate seasons) for schools that have purchased trees to contribute to the Trees Paws and Claws habitat restoration process via the sponsorship program.
Resources to successfully run the class:
- Each student is provided with the first postcard used to promote Werribee so that discussion can be used to stimulate change in people values over time.
- Visual aids of species that have become locally extinct or taxidermied specimens.
- Habitat Assessment Sheets.
- Discovery animals (we use the sugar glider but any animal that has been impacted by habitat loss can be used).
Habitat Assessment sheet helps teachers evaluate skills and understandings developed, as does the pre and post visit activities outlined within the Tree Paws and Claws teacher notes. Teachers are also provided with their own evaluation form.
To find out more about the Trees Paws and Claws sponsorship program please visit: http://www.zoo.org.au/sponsorship/trees_paws.htm To locate the Trees Paws and Claws Teacher Notes please visit the following URL: http://www.zoo.org.au/education/learningresources/worz.htm or contact Rachel Lowry, Ph: +61 3 9731 9635
Fax: +61 3 9731 9644 Email: rlowry@zoo.org.au.
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