Tag: Nature Kids

WINTER 2026 NATURE KIDS

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From the oceans to the mountains, let’s get to 30 x 30

 Good news for our oceans!

In March 2026 Australian Parliament passed an Act to implement the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty (officially known as known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction). The Treaty applies to seas beyond the territory of individual countries — which covers about 60% of all the world’s oceans. International cooperation is needed to look after these waters, and the plants and animals that live there. Currently only around 1% of the high seas is protected in marine sanctuaries. The Treaty will play an important role in achieving the global 30 x 30 goal to protect 30% of land, freshwater, and marine environments by 2030.

30×30 NSW

Little possum, big story

Next time you’re reluctant to get up on a chilly Winter’s morning, spare a thought for the Mountain Pygmy Possum … as you read this, it will be hibernating under snow in alpine NSW and Victoria until Spring arrives. The possum is the only marsupial in the world known to store food and hibernate for extended periods (up to 7 months!).

This tiny animal has a body length of up to 11cm. In 1967 it was declared the rarest animal on earth by the Guinness Book of Records after a single possum was found in Victoria. Now there are believed to be about 2,500 adult possums in NSW and Victoria, including in Kosciuszko National Park.

But the Mountain Pygmy Possum is still an endangered species. Climate change is its biggest threat because drought, rising temperatures and bushfires have affected levels of water, snow cover and its favourite food (bogong moths) — all of which it needs to survive. The possum is also threatened by feral cats and foxes. Thankfully dedicated scientists, park rangers and volunteers are working to care for the possum population.

Take a look at this tiny possum and learn more about the amazing people working to ensure their survival

Bee buzzness

Did you know honey has natural anti-microbial properties? This means it can help heal bacterial infections! Recent 5-year-long research analysed the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of 56 honey samples collected from a range of apiaries (beekeeping sites), including some recovering from the 2020 bushfires in NSW.

The research found that the antibacterial properties of honey are connected to the ecological richness of the environment — yet another reason to protect our native flora. Honey made from mixed floral sources had a superior performance against bacteria.

“Each nectar has its own unique chemical signature. When bees can forage on a smorgasboard of native plants, the mix combines to create honey chemically rich in bioactive compounds that are effective against bacteria.” (Dr Kenya Fernandes[CS2] )

Two cartoon bees at a buffet called 'Native Flower Fridays,' featuring various Australian native flowers. One bee is holding a fork, while the other holds a plate of honey, discussing the antioxidants in eucalyptus.

Credit: Artist: Ivy Shih

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2026/03/03/aussie-native-buffet-creates-honey-with-stronger-anti-microbial-punch.html

Nature Kids Autumn 2026

Posted by on in Autumn 2026Leave a comment

SNOUTS, SPOTS AND SPECIAL DAYS

Save the date

Stand up for nature in March!

  • 1 March: Clean Up Australia Day
  • 22 March for Forests
  • 23 March National Eucalypt Day
  • 28 March Earth Hour
  • 30 March International Zero Waste Day

Spot the quolls!


Eastern Quolls are endangered and have been extinct on the Australian mainland since 1963 – the only wild population is in Tasmania! Despite the quoll’s camouflage (see Nature Kids Winter 2024), key threats to quolls are predators like feral cats and foxes.


At the end of January 2026, four Eastern Quoll joeys were released at Bannockburn Rewilding Sanctuary on the NSW South Coast. They join 15 other quolls released in 2025 as part of the Invasive Species Council’s Rewilding Australia conservation program.


Researchers are monitoring the newly-released quolls using GPS technology to track their movements, survival and ecological impact. Their findings will guide future rewilding efforts in the hope that Eastern quolls can one day survive in NSW beyond predator-free fenced environments.


Watch a video of the young quolls being released

Wombat poo mysteries revealed

Fact: Wombat poo is square and comes out that way because of the shape and structure of a wombat’s lower intestine.


But did you know that wombats use their poo to communicate with eachother?! This is called “olfactory communication”.


In research recently published in the Journal of Zoology, scientists found that bare nosed wombats have a “vomeronasal organ”, sometimes described as a second (internal) nose, which they use to detect pheromones and other chemicals for social cues, mating, and predator or prey detection. Wombat scats/droppings are individually distinct, and scientists think that’s probably how these short-sighted animals tell each other apart!

Fun fact

Other animals with a second nose include snakes, lizards, rodents, horses, cattle, dogs and cats!
Find out more about wombat snouts

Habitat destruction report card fail

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s Extinction Wrapped 2025 report found that more than 57,000 hectares of threatened species habitat was approved for land clearing by the Australian Government in 2025 – that’s the highest level of destruction in 15 years and10 times the area of Sydney Harbour! According to the report, two-thirds of that area was approved for clearing by the mining industry.