The Wild Crew’s Wetlands Expedition: Here’s What Happened! - 8 March 2025

The Wild Crew’s Wetlands Expedition: Here’s What Happened! – 8 March 2025

The Wild Crew met on the 8th of March, and what an exciting outing this was! A good walk, mud, water, tadpoles, and fun experiments—everything needed for a truly great event. As we reached the top of the hill on our walk, we paused to take in the wetlands below and learnt how the landscape influences where wetlands are found.

Upon reaching the wetlands, Suretha and Sulize discussed the different types of wetlands, after which we took soil samples using a tool called an auger. This tool is pushed deep into the soil, turned, and then pulled out with the soil trapped in its base. It requires some strength, and, as luck would have it, Joseph—an employee from the neighbouring property—had joined us to help show the way and carry supplies. He ended up staying for the morning and assisted us in collecting excellent soil samples, some of which demonstrated mottling (oxidised iron spots). To everyone’s delight, he even found a whole collection of bullfrog tadpoles. Thank you, Joseph!

This gave us insight into the creatures that rely on wetlands for food and habitat. Of course, there were also plenty of wetland-specific plants to study. Then it was time for our experiment! After setting up the right conditions in our trays and bottles, we tested and timed how water filtered through different layers of soil and gravel, paying particular attention to how clay held water like a sponge.

All too soon, it was time to walk back to The Sheds, where we enjoyed our snack packs.

Sadly, the walk was a bit too far for the little ones, but they had plenty of fun conducting their own experiments with sand, gravel, and water. They then created mud art—no point in letting the leftovers from the experiment go to waste! Naturally, there had to be some cutting and sticking involved, so they cut out wetland animals and plants and carefully decided where to place them in their wetland pictures. Afterwards, they played and ran around until the older children returned.

Needless to say, fun was had by all—even the adults who accompanied the group!