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Visitors see positive signs for conservation
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s emphasis on promoting conservation communication across many of its study programs has impressed visitors from South African National Parks (SANParks).
SANParks Conservation Awareness manager Kevin Moore and Kruger National Park interpretive officer Kirsty Redman will head back to South Africa tomorrow after a nine-day stay with USC staff on the Sunshine Coast.
They will take home some great ideas on how to enhance their interpretation, including brochures and signage, for South Africa’s national parks to help people understand the need to preserve these parks.
Mr Moore and Ms Redman’s visit included three days at the University’s environmental education camp on Fraser Island, a day trip to Australia Zoo at Beerwah, and a public lecture by them today on the work of SANParks.
The visitors said they enjoyed the quality interpretive work provided by the zoo and by Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service on Fraser Island, and how both organisations used positive messages to encourage positive actions.
The University is keen to establish stronger links with SANParks to give USC students and staff greater opportunities to work, study and conduct research in South Africa.
Mr Moore said SANParks also had plenty to gain from its association with USC.
“We see USC as a very unique establishment that can offer SANParks something that we can’t see available anywhere else,” he said.
“This university provides collaboration across a whole lot of areas in its faculties. This cross-faculty weaving – to have things like engineering and conservation so closely linked – is brilliant.
“Interpretation is a major tool for us to promote conservation in our national parks. Partnering with an organisation like USC means we’ll be able to meet more of our objectives.”
Mr Moore said having USC students studying and working in South Africa also meant they could pass on their skills and knowledge about interpretation to South Africans.
Dr Sheila Peake of USC International has been instrumental in developing the relationship between the University and SANParks.
Her efforts so far have led to work opportunities in South Africa for Education student Jennifer Castell of Buderim early in 2011 and Design student Patrick Walsh of Nambour in September.
“I think our students have a skills base that is very attractive to SANParks,” she said.
— Terry Walsh