Educational talks, excursions and camps for all ages with Araucaria  Ecotours, specializing in ecology, behaviour and biodiversity
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Educational camps, excursions and presentations

Please see: short courses and camps offered in 2010


                  

Ronda Green

Araucaria proprietor Ronda Green's background experience combines scientific research in wildlife ecology and a wide interest in many topics with developing educational and recreational experiences for all ages and education levels from pre-school activities to university lecturing and adult education classes.

In addition to conducting the activities described below, she is sometimes available with sufficient notice for presentations on  wildlife and its ecology, behaviour and conservation needs and sustainable wildlife tourism
(note: we do not have presentations of live animals) , or to conduct excursions and camps in other regions.

The Araucaria team is also available for developing customized  computer programs and  other
interpretive materials, or musical composition for background to videos etc.

Self-drive tourists, special-interest groups, educational groups and others are also welcome (with adequate ntice and pre-booking) to a guided tour of our Scenic Rim Wildlife Ecology Centre and nature trails at the Araucaria property, Running Creek near Rathdowney

Wildlife ecology and behaviour, wildlife tourism, basic ecology, our place in nature, birds, rainforest plants ...

Learning while playing - and not just for children

Teachers, families, special interest groups, conference organizers and individuals - let us know you interests





Short courses and camps offered in 2010

Wildife Tourism      Bird behaviour       Introduction to Rainforest Plants    Children's activities

Wildlife tourism

ohotograohing kangaroos

This is a 4-day course on sustainable wildlife tourism, over two weekends, , based on the extensive personal experience of the Araucaria team, and research conducted by Ronda on sustainable tourism.  This course is suitable for anyone interested in becoming a guide, starting a wildlife tourism business or running an ecolodge. This is a non-accredited course, but you will receive a certificate of successful completion, and of course much valuable information and discussion.
It includes presentations in the Scenic Rim Wildlife Ecology Centre

The course covers: maximizing customer satisfaction while minimizing environmental distubance,  identifying and gathering information on local wildlfie (wherever 'local' may be), brief overview of Australia's wildlife groups, qualities needed in a good tour guide or host, bureacracy of starting a business, and some practical issues.

Dates: 6-7 March and 13-14 March (i.e. 4 days over two weekends)
Cost $99.00 per person including printed notes (camping/accommodation: additional cost).
Venue: Araucaria property, 1770 Running Creek Rd., via Rathdowney; adjacent Andrew Drynan Reserve, 17km southeast of Rathdowney
Accommodation possibilities: camping right next door at Andrew Drynan Reserve (phone Barry 5544 1281), various sites in Rathdowney district, closest is Rathdowney Motel/Hotel, or the beautiful Cougal Park across the border

There will be another similar course in the latter half of the year: date TBA

Contact us for further information or bookings

king parrotWatching and interpreting the behaviour of birds

Suitable for experienced birders or complete novices.
Led by research ecologist, Dr Ronda Green, who has been conducting research in the southeast Queensland and northen New South Wales region for over a quarter-century.
October is a great time for birdwatching as our summer migrants (e.g. channel-billed cuckoo, common koel and dollarbird) have arrived, plenty of local trees and other plants are flowering or fruiting, and many birds are actively breeding.

Dates: 9-10 October
Cost $66.00 per person including printed notes (camping/accommodation: additional cost).
Venue: Araucaria property, 1770 Running Creek Rd., via Rathdowney; adjacent Andrew Drynan Reserve, 17km southeast of Rathdowney
Accommodation possibilities: camping right next door at Andrew Drynan Reserve (phone Barry 5544 1281), various sites in Rathdowney district, closest is Rathdowney Motel/Hotel, or the beautiful Cougal Park across the border


Contact us for further information or bookings


palm lilyIntroduction to rainforest plants

This is a beginner's course on how to start identifying trees, shrubs, vines and understorey plants of the local rainforests, and learning a bit about their ecology. Ronda majored in botany as well as zoology in South Australia, and her reserach on birds led her to continue botanical srt

Dates: 9-10 October
Cost $66.00 per person including printed notes (camping/accommodation: additional cost).
Venue: Araucaria property, 1770 Running Creek Rd., via Rathdowney; adjacent Andrew Drynan Reserve, 17km southeast of Rathdowney
Accommodation possibilities: camping right next door at Andrew Drynan Reserve (phone Barry 5544 1281), various sites in Rathdowney district, closest is Rathdowney Motel/Hotel, or the beautiful Cougal Park across the border


Contact us for further information or bookings

Children's activities

Designed for 6 to 12 year-olds, but the whole family can join in these activites, which include nature-based games and puzzles, treasure hunts, arts and craft, and learning to look for fauna and flora and understand what you see. Also some star-gazing if the skies are clear,  and a campfire singalong
Dates: 25-26 September
Cost $99.00 per family
Venue: Araucaria property, 1770 Running Creek Rd., via Rathdowney; adjacent Andrew Drynan Reserve, 17km southeast of Rathdowney
Accommodation possibilities: camping right next door at Andrew Drynan Reserve (phone Barry 5544 1281), various sites in Rathdowney district, closest is Rathdowney Motel/Hotel, or the beautiful Cougal Park across the border


Contact us for further information or bookings


All ages and education levels

Proprietor Ronda Green has lectured in various aspects of ecology, conservation biology, animal behavour and ecotourism at a number of  universties and other tertiary institutions as well as conducting adult education courses and leading many camps, excursions and presentations for children and running a holiday farm with an emphasis on fun ways of learning about natural history and horsemanship.

Wildlife ecology and behaviour, wildlife tourism, basic ecology, our place in nature, birds, rainforest plants ...



Learning while playing - and not just for children

Much has been written and continues to be written on the connection between play and learning
Ronda's chimpanzee research
Bimba Lodge nature games. Ronda was already interested in the connection between play and learning by the time she left secondary school.

Teachers, families, special interest groups, conference organizers and individuals - let us know you interests