Schools can be Totally Wild winners in national search for solutions
26 Jan 2003
SYDNEY: WWF-Australia and Network Ten have launched an exciting national conservation competition for first year high school students, aimed at encouraging initiative, creative communication and leadership in tackling local environment issues.
Schools throughout Australia are invited to submit class projects that will contribute to saving local animal and plant species, and raise community awareness of important environmental challenges.
The competition, Go Totally Wild With WWF, is endorsed by the Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, and the Australian Science Teachers Association. Competition projects can be linked to all state and territory curricula and judging will be based on skills in identifying environmental problems, devising and implementing solutions and effective communication.
"WWF-Australia is proud to offer students such an exciting opportunity to develop local conservation projects that will provide creative, workable solutions to conserve Australia's unique biodiversity," said Dr David Butcher, WWF-Australia CEO.
"Australia has the world's fifth highest number of threatened species. We know that 1,604 plants, animals and ecological communities are currently listed as threatened under Australia's environment protection laws. It is a situation that requires action from all Australians if we are to avoid losing some native species forever.
"This national competition will give students a chance to make a vital, meaningful contribution to protecting and conserving native species."
Classes can design their own conservation projects which can be as varied as building a frog pond, designing posters, landscaping the school grounds, constructing a wetlands area, creating a local field guide or creating a native garden. They will also be encouraged to involve local media in charting the progress of their projects and its importance to their region.
Schools can win five IBM computers - complete with CD ROM, fax modem, Windows 2000 and Adobe After Effects software. Winning classes will also receive a WWF-Australia prize pack with t-shirts, caps and backpacks and will appear on Network Ten's popular youth program, 'Totally Wild'.
Details of the competition, which forms part of WWF-Australia's 25th Anniversary celebrations, will be promoted by community service announcements on Network Ten. Over 2,800 schools have already received Go Totally Wild with WWF introduction kits. Classes can enter online . Entries - expressions of interest rather than completed projects - must be received at WWF Australia by 7 March.
Hayley Chapman, Totally Wild presenter and WWF-Australia Ambassador, is excited about her role in supporting the competition.
"I can't wait to see the amazing projects the classes will come up with. Winning classes will appear on 'Totally Wild' with me and will also help WWF-Australia conserve the environment," she said.
