Educating the public about our animal friends is one of the main reasons that Central Coast Zoo exists. We want to inspire this generation and the next to understand our animals, their ecosystems and habitats so that they will want to go out and help protect those natural resources.
Education is the basis of every interaction with the public that we do here at Central Coast Zoo. We use this to pass on our message of conservation and sustainable living.
WE ACHIEVE OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM THROUGH:
Signage
Every animal species displayed has an educational sign stating the animals scientific name, habitat, geographical origin, description as well as photos of the species. We aim for these signs to be fun as well as educational. You will also find other informational signs around the Zoo about a particular individual animal or conservation effort.
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES OR ENCOUNTERS
These involve 1 keeper with either 1 public member or a very small group. These encounters are very customized to the situation and allow a more intimate setting to pass along our conservation message in relation to an individual species.
EDUCATIONAL SHOWS
Along with our partner Amazement Farm & Fun Park we are also able to assist in their education program by participating in their educational shows. Found throughout the day onsite at Amazement they cover a variety of species and conservation topics.
ON SITE CUSTOMISED SHOWS
To cater to specific groups including school groups they can be customised to meet guests specific learning outcomes as well as our own message.
OFF SITE EDUCATIONAL TALKS
Where we bring the animals to you. Fun and interactive experiences through Amazements mobile branch Kindi Farm, where the animals are brought to your event and our Educational Officers deliver a fun and informative information session.
If you are looking for a specific outcome focused educational talk either at your event/school or onsite here at Amazement you can contact amazement at [email protected] to see how we can help.
For more information on Amazements shows, talks and mobile displays checkout their website www.amazement.com.au or call them on (02) 4353 9900.
Conservation
AS AN INSTITUTION THAT HOUSES ANIMALS IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND PRIVILEGE TO EDUCATE EVERYONE THAT COMES THROUGH OUR DOORS ABOUT OUR CONSERVATION MESSAGE, THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DIFFERENCE AT HOME.
Conservation starts in your own backyard. Here at Central Coast Zoo we believe in making an active effort towards conservation that people can see and actively participate to effect their own backyard in rather than a talk about a distant national park in another country.
We want people to connect with our animals so they learn how they exist and have a purpose so next time our guests are given a choice they might make a better decision for the environment rather than just themselves.
For example some simple ways to make a real difference:
- Driving home and avoiding the turtle on the road rather than hitting it
- Better yet, get out and help the turtle cross the road
- When the snake gets in the back yard, don’t get the golf club, get the snake catcher
- Don’t let your pet cat roam
- Recycle correctly
- Plant a native garden
- Compost
These are real actions that people can take to create a real difference in their own environment.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
WE ALSO BELIEVE IN LIVING OUR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING MESSAGE AND NOT JUST LECTURING IT. WE HAVE A NUMBER ON INITIATIVES AT THE ZOO THAT REDUCES OUR FOOTPRINT ON THIS EARTH AS WELL AS HELPING OUT THE LOCAL WILDLIFE COMMUNITY WHERE WE CAN.
Water Sustainability and Recycling: Here at Central Coast Zoo and Amazement we collect rainwater. You might see the tanks located near every roof surface. This water is used throughout the zoo with excess water recycled and used to water the gardens. We supplement this water when needed with water from one of our onsite dams. You might notice the water looks darker than your tap water at home and this is because it is our dam water. To ensure quality we test the quality of our dam water regularly.
Reduction in rubbish collection: Where we can we reduce the litter that goes into our bins. We do this through collecting items that can be recycled and by composting.
Solar Power: Here at Central Coast Zoo we take advantage of the free energy that the sun provides. We have a number of solar panels currently in place to supplement our electricity needs and plan to increase this resource use in the future.
Composting: Animals’ poo a lot and it has to go somewhere. Here at Central Coast Zoo we have an onsite compost system which processes all the biological waste for the zoo and we can even use the soil to make new garden beds!
Local Wildlife Vet clinic and Rehabilitation Centre: With an onsite vet and vet clinic it seemed natural for us to open our doors to local wildlife in need. This has set us on the journey to open our own rehabilitation centre which will be able to house and rehabilitate local wildlife from the Central Coast.
