UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF ECO-MANAGMENT Early in Term 1, Year 12 HSC Geography students travelled to Batemans Bay and the surrounding area to gather primary evidence on the risk to some of the ecosystems in the region. The predominant focus was on the Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve as an example of a rare high latitude mangrove community. The students learnt about the importance of the mangrove ecosystem, including its role as a key fish nursery, a natural carbon store, a sediment filtration system, and as a coastal barrier. In recent years, the encroachment of nearby suburbs, recreational activity, local farming, and climatic variations have significantly impacted the ecosystem. The aim of the excursion was for the students to identify these impacts first-hand and record their observations. Students also sought to understand the various eco-management strategies from a variety of perspectives. Unique to this year’s excursion, students also observed the impacts of the summer bushfires while touring the region and were fortunate to witness the most incredible environmental rejuvenation occurring in the bushfire-affected zones. The productive day concluded with a stop at the local Nelligen General Store on the Clyde River, where the students were not only able to spend their pocket money but also support the local community after such a difficult summer period.
16 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2020
