During Science Week, our school hosted a hackathon centred around the theme, “Species Survival: More Than Just Sustainability." For this hackathon, we compiled a team of four with Johanna Lee, Anna Yan, Emira Wellington and Matthew Newton.
The challenge was to utilise sustainability principles to ensure the survival of a particular species while engaging the community in its conservation efforts. Our team began by empathising with the community and understanding the specific needs of the species we aimed to protect.
We focused on the Coxen's Fig Parrot, a critically endangered bird native to the South-East Queensland region, with an estimated population of fewer than 100 individuals. Through extensive research and consultations with experts, including researchers from Griffith University and UQ, we identified iNaturalist as a key platform for our project.
Our goal was to use the app to encourage users to monitor fig and fruiting trees, as well as swamping grounds and wetlands, which are critical habitats for the Coxen's Fig Parrot. Additionally, we planned to place QR codes linked to our project at known hotspots, such as hiking trailheads and national parks, and promote our initiative on social media. During the process, we held numerous team meetings and consulted with experts in sustainability, ecology, and specifically, the fig parrot.
While some experts were skeptical about the viability of our project, suggesting that the species might already be extinct, others were supportive and saw potential in our efforts. Encouraged by their feedback and the resources available through the Currumbin Wildlife Centre, we decided to collaborate further to refine our project.
According to Queensland's threatened species list, there is hope for the repopulation of the Coxen's Fig Parrot. We are now working to turn this idea into a reality through iNaturalist, and we need your support to help save this endangered species.
If you are interested in learning more, check out these links we found during our research:
https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/conservation/coxens-fig-parrot
https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10195
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Scientific-Committee/sc-coxens-fig-parrot-cyclopsitta-diophthalma-coxeni-review-report.pdf
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/2c0e502e-f6ae-4efb-a023-d068a7955879
Anna Yan
Year 10 Student