In Term 4 2025, Natura Pacific was engaged by Tweed Shire Council, on behalf of the Tweed and Kyogle Community Feral Deer Alert Project, with funding from the NSW Environmental Trust, to develop and deliver a Feral Deer Alert school presentation for Year 3–6 students at Crystal Creek Public School and Wilsons Creek Public School.
The presentation was linked to the Australian Curriculum for the Science and HASS key learning areas. One teacher also noted that the post-visit challenge empowering students to be ‘Environmental Champions’ and design campaign material for the school and wider community, linked perfectly with their persuasive writing unit.
Before the presentation teachers received a teacher’s guide with a list of helpful videos and websites to view with the students pre and/or post presentation.
The presentation featured a variety of engaging activities including video, deer artefacts, quiz-based learning and an interactive Food Web String Game designed to appeal to a primary school audience. The deer artefacts were particularly well received by students and significantly enhanced hands-on and sensory engagement.
Discussion topics such as ‘Who did the poo?’ and ‘Who put their foot in it?’ sparked curiosity and laughter while introducing students to the signs that ‘Deer Detectives’ can look for in their local environments including farms, backyards and parks — a data collection technique used by ecologists.
The aim of the presentation was to help students understand the impacts of feral deer on safety, agriculture and the environment, including food webs and ecosystems in the Northern Rivers. Students received the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Identification Guide to help identify deer species and signs, empowering them to become ‘Deer Detectives’.
Deer Antlers
Deer Hide
Students also learnt how to report feral deer sightings using the FeralScan / DeerScan app or website and were encouraged to share this information with their parents and carers.
Have you seen a deer or signs of deers in your local area? You can report feral deer sightings using this app or website too.
Teachers were happy to receive the PowerPoint Presentation so they can deliver the Feral Deer Alert Presentation to their future classes.
Natura Pacific enjoyed developing and delivering this environmental education program in partnership with Tweed Shire Council. The team has extensive experience designing and delivering environmental education programs for a wide range of clients.
For more information, please email admin@natura-pacific.com.au.
