Toad News

16 August 2006

The Stop the Toad Foundation’s
School Trap Building Program

Greg Hunt from Prendiville College coordinates the program, he holds ‘Wednesday Workshops’ at his school which are open to anyone interested – schools, teachers and citizens. Greg is an invaluable and encouraging source of information, passion and commitment, available for advice on all things trapping. The Design and Technology Association of WA has been extremely supportive of the program, promoting the program at meetings and in newsletters. Contact Greg on 08 9307-2000
	Third term of 2005 saw the first classroom construction of cane toad traps and the launch of the Stop The Toad Foundation’s School Trap Building Program. The initiators were Haig McGlashen’s Year 11 Design and Technology students at Hale School Perth. The boys put in weeks of tremendous effort, resulting in 30 large ‘habitat traps’ sent up to Kununurra for toad busting!
Since then, this program has been steam rolling ahead and 18 schools are currently involved.
	The goals of the program are to; Enable students to have a sense of participation and ownership in the campaign to keep WA cane toad free; Increase the numbers of traps built and deployed in the field; Reduce production cost; Contribute to the research and development of trap design including lighting and power systems for traps
How it works There are varying levels of involvement in the program to encourage as many schools as possible to take up the challenge and help us keep WA cane toad free
	Materials The Stop the Toad Foundation can supply the materials for you to make traps and other equipment. Some schools also cover the costs of materials to help with the sustainability of this program.
What are the options of things to build? Complete traps Trap doors only Lighting systems Scoops Signs Trap labels
We are open to other suggestions and ideas!
	How to make traps: You are invited to attend trap building workshops, happening every week, to learn how to make the traps and trap doors. It is best advised to get a design and technology teacher to assist. We will send you a set of instructions to get you started and we are always here for guidance.
Other things to do If trap building is not something your school could do then there are other ways in which you could join the toad team.
Fundraising – as you can imagine things are expensive so any extra financial assistance would be of great assistance. THE GREAT TOAD MUSTER – 23rd September to 31st October 2006 come along to this inaugural event and help on the ground with keeping WA free of cane toads. Come along for 2 days, 2 weeks or the whole time Hold an awareness event – to spread the word about the campaign.
	Please contact Greg (08 9307-2000) or Lisa (0423 916 879) to sign your school up now and for more information. Come on, join the team and TOGETHER we can keep WA cane toad free.
Western Australian Schools participating and supporting the Stop the Toad Foundation Inc. Trap Building Program Albany Secondary Education Support Centre All Saints College Broome Catholic College Bunbury Senior High School Busselton Senior High School Calista Primary School Cannington Community College Carey Baptist College Derby District High School Hale School Kalbarri District High School Leeming Senior High School Melville Senior High School Mt Lawley Senior High School Narrogin Senior High School Newman College Rockingham Saint Stevens Duncraig