The Nepalese Association of Agriculture, Forestry & Environment in Australia (NEPAFE) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Guided Birdwatching and Ecological Awareness Program for Youths at Jerrabomberra Wetlands. This initiative aimed to inspire young participants to appreciate local biodiversity, develop foundational ecological knowledge, and strengthen their connection with nature.
Acknowledgement of Partners and Supporters
NEPAFE extends sincere gratitude to all participants, partners, and community supporters who contributed to making this program a meaningful and enriching experience. We especially thank BirdLife Australia for their generous funding support, which made it possible to deliver this important youth-focused educational initiative.
Expert Knowledge and Field Guidance
A heartfelt thank you goes to Mirriam Fokker, ACT Ranger at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, for her insightful presentation on wetland ecosystems. Her session covered the diversity of bird species found in wetlands, their unique identifying features, ecological roles, and the critical importance of wetland conservation. Her expertise significantly deepened participants’ ecological understanding and appreciation of these sensitive habitats.
We also express our gratitude to Julie Hotchin, Vice President of the Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG), for her support and assistance in facilitating this program.
Special thanks to Esha Shekar, PhD candidate at the Australian National University (ANU), who expertly guided the birdwatching walk. She provided a clear and engaging introduction to essential birdwatching skills, ethical field practices, observational techniques, and helped participants confidently navigate the walk plan.
NEPAFE Leadership Engagement
NEPAFE’s Chief Advisor, Dr. Jagadish Timsina, delivered an insightful overview of NEPAFE’s vision and highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship within the Nepalese and broader Australian community. He emphasized how programs like this strengthen youth learning and environmental awareness.
Former Vice President and current Advisor, Dr. Sita Ram Ghimire, also offered his well wishes and reinforced NEPAFE’s mission, underscoring the value of experiential learning in nurturing future environmentally conscious leaders.
Youth Engagement and Learning
It was truly inspiring to see young participants enthusiastically engage in bird identification, habitat observation, and ecological discussions throughout the program. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn about the birds and wetlands of the ACT reaffirm NEPAFE’s commitment to creating more opportunities for youth involvement in nature-based education.
Community Collaboration
NEPAFE warmly acknowledges Samir Shrestha and the Queanbeyan Nepalese Society team, as well as the Hamro Pathshala Canberra team, for their active participation and continued collaboration across community initiatives.
Ongoing Commitment to Conservation
Our partnership with the Jerrabomberra Wetlands team remains highly valued, and NEPAFE looks forward to continuing this collaboration. We appreciate Ranger Mirriam once again for her dedicated support and seamless coordination throughout the preparation and delivery of this program. NEPAFE remains committed to supporting volunteer activities that contribute to wetland conservation and ecological education.
Program Coordination
The event was professionally hosted and managed by NEPAFE Secretary, Sujan Neupane, whose effective coordination ensured a smooth and engaging experience for all attendees.
NEPAFE expresses sincere thanks to everyone involved. Together, we continue working towards building environmentally conscious, informed, and connected communities.
