HOME SWEET HOME: Eco has settled into Bingara s Living Classroom.
HOME SWEET HOME: Eco has settled into Bingara’s Living Classroom.
BINGARA’S unique Living Classroom has welcomed a new resident, a curious emu christened Eco.
The Living Classroom is a 150-hectare piece of land described as an ecological “wonderland”, hence the emu’s name.
For the past few years a dedicated team has transformed the degraded land into a facility for agriculture, research and education, turning it into a productive “food forest”. And it seems Eco approves.
“Ecologically speaking, Eco is an indication that the local wildlife approve of the site,” publicity officer Rick Hutton said.
“Along with the dozens of (other birdlife), Eco has made the place his home, at least until he goes off to find a mate.”
The emu wandered down from the hills west of Bingara about nine months ago, and after some initial shyness he now comes to within about 30m of the site’s human population.
Tradesmen are working on the site and in recent weeks the emu has started “greeting them when they arrive for work”.
He’ll have to share his new home on the weekend of March 19 and 20, though – that’s when the Living Classroom hosts its first big event, the 15th annual Landcare Adventure, hosted by the Upper Gwydir Landcare Association.
