Suggest public program ideas for our Wetlands Touring Exhibition

We are seeking ideas for activities, workshops, lectures, and anything interesting that will support a forthcoming touring exhibition on the subject of Wetlands - The Vital Link.

For more information on the exhibition or to read the latest article in Musing

Some of the themes of the exhibition include:

Rich Biodiversity
The science of wetlands - hydrology
Indigenous stories
Early settlers and our ongoing relationship to wetlands
Myths and superstitions
Beauty and aesthetics
Community action
What can you do?
The Citizen scientist

Some of the ideas we have come up with so far are in the diagram below. So, any other ideas - gratefully appreciated!!

Tags: exhibition, program, public, touring, wetlands

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dr Lise Summers on October 8, 2010 at 5:22pm

Hi Jane

Dare I say it, but no discussion of wetlands can be complete without discussions about the changing perspectives on wetlands and swamps, of their reclamation and reuse as parks and gardens, or drains. Swamps were associated with malaria, not because of the mosquitoes (although that came later) but because of ideas about bad and good air. Recognition of disease vectors and infections were a mid 19th century idea.

I'd be asking people for lost swamps, for stories of mud; and I'd contrast this with discussions about open space and designed public parks and gardens. Contrast Tomato Swamp with the lakes at Ascot Waters, for example.

I'd also suggest, if you haven't done so already, that you look at the early maps of Perth available online at the SROWA, and think about some sort of digital project or mashup to find old swamps that have been reclaimed.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Griffiths on October 9, 2010 at 7:18pm

Hi Lise,

Love the mashup idea - the group is going to talk about it more.

Lots of the ideas you've mentioned have found their way into the exhibition, so will be a good support for programs built around them - also love the idea of asking for stories about lost and reclaimed.

We are using an early map of Perth in the exhibition too!

Thanks for some great ideas
Jen