... The 21 st century will be characterised by our successes and failures to solve global issues, and solving our global issues will require a higher quality of science education. However, in science education in Australia it is time to decide to change. In the last decade, enrolments in senior...

... A continuing initiative of the Innisfail-based Australian Insect Farm is to deliver insect education in an inviting interactive package, while achieving the goals of increasing insect awareness and appreciation. The Australian Insect Farm has developed to satisfy scientific and public demand...

... Recommendations were developed to enhance the conservation of invertebrates. These were derived from workshop groups that focused on policy and planning, and education and awareness. Recommendations were specifically concerned with enhancing research and information flow, enhancing strategic...

... the Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society (KBCS) has been running a bat education program in Sydney. This program aims to increase public knowledge and understanding of flying-foxes and microbats in order to improve their profile and assist in the development of more positive attitudes and a greater...

... and Reptile School providing detailed information on the biology, identification and survey methods. Ethics and licensing are components of both courses. The varied educational level of attendees provides a significant challenge to course teachers. Direct contact with live animals is very important...

...-gai Flying-fox Reserve (the Reserve) in suburban Sydney, and conducted an ongoing program of public education on the role of flying-foxes in the ecosystem. In 2001, the KBCS conducted a survey of households neighbouring the Reserve to examine the attitudes of the local residents to the flying-fox...

... is that the public has a blindness to bats, and therefore to the issues surrounding their conservation and management. We did find that people do care about individual bats, and that education helps counter the negative perceptions. We turn to education and research as the primary formula for seeking to understand...

... The history of the transition of natural history from being at the centre of western science to the periphery is outlined. The development of a divide between amateurs and professionals is discussed as is the decline in nature study in school education. It is argued that understanding...

... functional equivalency compared with similar non urban habitats is demonstrated. The argument is presented that estuarine fish are part of the urban wildlife fauna and they should be included in education and advisory programs developed and coordinated by various groups to protect, enhance and maintain...

... of how these remnants function in the estuarine ecosystem. In addition, they have aesthetic, recreational and educational values. To illustrate these values, the wetlands of Bicentennial Park and Newington at Homebush Bay on the Parramatta River in Sydney are used. These wetlands, which are adjacent...

... at feeding sites and nutritional problems. Management strategies aim to control access, visitor numbers, the nature and quality of provisioned food and the educational value of the viewing experience. Management styles cater for different circumstances and include wild bird feeding operations, wildlife...

... The status of scientists in public opinion is discussed in relation to several areas of controversy. In England the social status of scientists is affected by long standing prejudices in society and the education system, and to some extent these views have had influence in Australia...

... appropriate is current NPWS policy and management practice? The solution to the conundrum will require improvements to management strategies, further research and sustained education programs. ...