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Work Integrated Learning Placement Reflection

Wildlife Corridor Project - Intern

During trimester 3, I completed my Work Integrated Learning Placement with Dr Ronda Green on the Wildlife Corridor Project for Wildlife Preservation Society of OLD within the Scenic Rim. This project aims at revegetating private land amongst the Scenic Rim to provide hubs and corridors for wildlife to move, particularly with a focus on Squirrel Gliders but also on other target species. I was mostly working alongside Dr Ronda Green during this time, assisting with fauna surveys during early morning, afternoon and nocturnal time periods, but also collaborating with local land-holders involved with the project also whilst delivering native plants and assisting with planting and protective fencing erection on their properties. My role also consisted of collating survey results and data into excel, and moderating the BioCollect project site to ensure accurate entry of survey data. 


Two days a week I would travel to the Scenic Rim from the Gold Coast and undertake surveys alongside Dr Green. A visual and call census survey technique was applied during surveys, which required good sound knowledge of native bird, mammal and insect species identification. My identification and observation skills have developed immensely since my placement experience, where I have gained the confidence to lead fauna surveys during varied time periods of the day thus requiring different observation techniques ie. Use of binoculars during the daytime and use of spotlights during the night time. My knowledge of local wildlife has also enhanced, particularly with native bird species. In addition to Ronda’s extensive knowledge and her ability to hear bird calls from miles away, she also  exposed me to great identification books and phone applications during surveys that I will continue to use throughout my studies and future fieldwork. I found this time during surveys with Dr Green the most rewarding part of my placement, as she would often go on tangents about fascinating species physiology facts or talk about her wild international experiences with wildlife from Africa to China. The limited funding that has currently been directed to this project has limited the opportunity for experienced researchers and biologists to assist, therefore Ronda relies heavily on students, citizen scientists and local landholders to assist with her surveys. On most occasions, it was often Ronda and myself conducting the surveys, which potentially limited our ability to observe all fauna species that were at the survey sites. With more observers it is likely our observation data may have increased, and unfortunately we had not made any observations of Squirrel Gliders. I couldn't help but feel saddened that many iconic species such as the Glider and the Koala were difficult to find in their native habitats, but this stipulates the work that needs to be done. With word from land-holders of Squirrel Glider sightings and from successful footage captured by the motion-sensor cameras provided to landholders, we are confident this project will have a positive outcome on the populations in the long-run. 


At times my experience was difficult, particularly the lengthy days of driving sometimes 3 hours and late night arrivals back to Ronda’s property, where I still had to prepare my dinner or set up my car to sleep in despite having to set an alarm for 4:00am for an early morning survey the following day. In addition to this, the weather didn’t always agree with our scheduled days and on some occasions the fauna surveys or planned plantings were cancelled due to heavy rainfall. My daily duties were then replaced with collating and entering fauna survey data into excel record sheets and moderation of data into the online BioCollect project site. This opportunity was beneficial as I was able to gain data management experience whilst demonstrating meticulous attention to detail, along with gaining development in organisation and time management skills. 


As I reflect back on my time undertaking this placement opportunity, I am able to explore some of the Griffith graduate qualities and capabilities I have achieved over the duration of this period. This opportunity has enabled me to become more knowledgable in native fauna identification, survey techniques and use of identification tools, whilst also developing my skills in data analysis and data entry following the field work. It has allowed me the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with local land-holders and like minded individuals with a conservation achievement in mind. The skills achieved from my recent study allowed me the ability to produce innovative ideas for the survey record keeping and excel records sheets, to ensure it correlates with the data entry into BioCollect. I felt actively socially responsible and engaged within a community through the communication of the wildlife corridor project to my peers with a visual presentation, and through engaging with the land-holders amongst the community. 

This was a great experience which has equipped me with the necessary skills required to continue in on-going field work and conservation efforts. I hope to look back in years time and see positive outcomes for the Wildlife Corridor Project and Squirrel Glider populations.

Scenic Rim Wildlife Corridor Project: Text

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