Since 2022, the National Parks Conservation Trust has funded a project that supports young people in learning about the incredible biodiversity of their home.
Christmas Island National Park, which makes up two thirds of the Australian territory of Christmas Island, is home to a high proportion of endemic species, some of them endangered.
The National Park protects much of the island’s uniquely structured rainforests, two wetlands of international importance, tens of millions of red crabs and a small but environmentally significant marine area.
Jointly delivered by the Christmas Island District School and the Christmas Island National Park, the program provided young residents with a lasting bond to their environment as well as skills for local jobs and opportunity for employment in other parts of Australia.
After delays caused by COVID-19, the program was launched in August 2022 with a ‘Ranger Day Rogaine’. Over the next two years, the Crab Cadets (younger students) and the Student Rangers (older students) enjoyed nature based learning. Junior Rangers completed units that counted towards the WA Certificate of Education.
Year 8 students won $3000 in the inaugural Minister’s Innovation Challenge for Western Australia with their mobile phone product, a light filter for observing turtles nesting at night. Among other highlights for the students were:
- helping rangers shepherd millions of crabs on their journey from the forests to the ocean to mate and spawn every year
- working with a graphic designer to revamp tourist information about driving safely when the crabs are on the move
- establishment of the school native plant nursery and the cultivation of 300 healthy native plants
- completing invasive crazy ant surveys with Parks rangers
- beach clean-ups, fishing management activities, learning about the importance of seagrass and safeguarding of the Christmas Island Blue-tailed skinks, and
- developing new research sites to survey giant geckos and monitor birds.
Judy West from NPCT says that eco-tourism and nature based activities are likely to be important contributors to Christmas Island’s future economy.
“This project has encouraged young people to know more about their unique environment and gain skills that could lead to nature based employment and of course, protection for the flora and fauna.”
The program continues to be embedded within Parks Australia and Christmas Island.
