LEARNING ACTIVITY
Water for wildlife
Category: Biodiversity
Climate Region: Arid | Temperate | Tropical
State or Territory: ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
Age Range: 7-13

STORY

Suyin sits out on the porch at dusk trying to catch the breeze. She can hear the familiar sounds of galahs calling from the old river red gums downhill from her house. Suyin is hopeful that she will spot a Black-breasted buzzard soaring above tonight on the lookout for prey. She hasn’t seen many raptors the last couple of years, the local park ranger told her it’s because of the lack of decent rainfall. "I should leave some water out in the yard tomorrow for the wildlife she says to herself, I’ll use that old cut barrel from the shed."

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

Explore practical ways you can help wildlife in times of extreme heat. This activity allows young people to see the parallels between wild animals’ dependence on clean drinking water for survival and their own. It provides opportunities to discuss how wildlife are more vulnerable than humans to changes in climate and water supply.

Outcomes

For children to:

  • appreciate that living things are dependent on the environment for their survival
  • appreciate that water is essential for the survival of living things including humans
  • be involved in taking actions to improve outcomes for wildlife.
SEASONAL NOTES

This activity can be undertaken any time of year but is especially important in warm regions or over warmer months when water supply can become scarce for wildlife.
Water containers for wildlife will need to be topped up regularly in hot temperatures. Water should still be left outside in cool temperatures as some water bodies can freeze in winter while animals continue to need drinking water.

Did you know?

Water is natural and non-living 

Did you know?

Water can take the form of: liquid, gas or solid. The state of the water depends on the surrounding temperature.

Did you know?

Water can change in appearance and shape due to forces from nature or those of humans.

Did you know?

Water is constantly moving on, above and below the surface of the Earth as part of a water cycle.

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