PURPOSE

I am interested in photography and a passionate in building websites to record my findings and classify them.

I have Cerebral Palsy and cannot easily walk through forest and difficult trails so I decided that the Wetlands providing flat accessible paths would be the ideal adventure project for me to discover the bird species inhabiting our Northern Sydney wetlands and photograph them and tell their story in Spring 2019.

I have 7 days to research, walk through the wetlands and collate as much information as I can during this short timeframe.

ADVENTUROUS PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of this Adventurous Project is to explore/observe/study and document the birdlife in Warriewood Wetlands.

• The exploration and study will be based on the walking and patient observation of birdlife through photography in the Warriewood Wetlands.
• The documentation will take the shape of a video and website utilising my skills in IT and Multimedia.

The Challenge: I am in year 12 and presenting IPT as well as Multimedia. I have a brain injury from birth which resulted in Cerebral Palsy – Diplegia. This project will suit me as it leverages my skills and interests through IT and the walkways in a flat wetland setting would allow me to walk on my tiptoes without straining my limbs ‘muscles inappropriately. The setting is safe and in an area with minimal risk. However, I will need to stretch my endurance in terms of 3 to 4 hour long daily journey stages. I will have to stay in a cabin and confront different weather conditions in the wetlands. The journey is an exploration but a huge challenge for me as I get tired easily, cannot carry moderate to heavy loads without losing balance and I easily feel uncomfortable with changes to hot or cold or wet weather conditions.

I am hoping to learn more about the wider environment, as well as develop my self-confidence. I will be out of my comfort zone- in an unfamiliar environment but I think within a safe setting. I have undertaken physical training and will be supervised by a physical trainer also interested in photography and nature. I will be carrying a mobile phone at all times in case of an emergency.

PROJECT GOALS

My Goal is to spot/observe and document at least 12 to 20 species of birds in the wetlands if not more.

A further goal is to strive for walking in the bushland and manage my endurance but also be prepared to carry a backpack not too heavy so as not to lose balance.

I will carry a quality camera for the photography of the birdlife taking place in the Warriewood Wetlands ecosystem as well as food and beverage for my breaks.

I will need to plan for toilet break as there are no public toilets available in the wetlands therefore duration of bushland excursion stages cannot take longer than 3 - 4 hours in total at a time.