Alaska to Australia -- Green Makes the Difference

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
05/28/03

Theresa Chihuly of Ninilchik was on an education mission to Mission Beach, Australia and realized the same was true for Australia as it is here at home: "The transformation that just a little bit of green can make is incredible."

The University of Alaska Fairbanks student just finished a three-day conservation project, part of her study-abroad program, in far North Queensland’s world heritage listed rainforest area.

The rainforest is an important habitat for many species including parrots, wallabies and the critically endangered Cassowary, a prehistoric-looking flightless bird with two long red-to crimson free-swinging fleshy wattles at the front of the neck, like a turkey. Chihuly and other volunteers established Cassowary corridors, removing weeds and planting trees that helped restore the natural habitat.

"We did enough work to feel that we accomplished something significantƒ there was a whole lot of fun and learning combined," she said.

The only one from Alaska, Chihuly was among 145 college students studying in Australia and New Zealand through AustraLearn, who camped-out for three days to monitor wildlife populations, hike, survey the bush and study coastal waters

"Seeing a plot of bare land transformed into a future forest was an amazing sight," explained Chihuly. She participated in the special conservation project, through UAF’s study-abroad program with AustraLearn.

"Students always take wonderful experiences of Australia with them. This program is a way for people like Chihuly to leave their imprint on the land and give back something," said AustraLearn’s Cynthia Banks, who has worked with American students in Australia for more than 13 years.

"I definitely feel closer to Australia and Australiansƒ after working on this project," said Chihuly. "The study abroad experienceƒ has served to make me a more informed, knowledgeable individual."

AustraLearn was recognized by Conservation Volunteers Australia for supporting the conservation of Australia’s environment and for the difference the students made. Together the volunteers planted more than 1600 trees, removed almost 50,000 square yards of weeds, constructed 2.2 miles of nature paths and tracks, and collected more than 40 pounds of seeds.

For more information about study abroad or exhange programs visit UAF International Programs or contact Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778 for more information.