Eco Sisters Act for Black Cockatoos

April 10, 2025

What started as a school excursion to Perth Zoo has sparked something much bigger. Our Eco Sisters are now leading a hands-on conservation project right here at Santa Maria College, focused on supporting one of WA’s most iconic native species: the Black Cockatoo.

With clipboards in hand and ideas already growing, the girls are turning their passion into action.

From the Zoo to Santa Maria

Earlier this term, the Eco Sisters took part in Perth Zoo’s Habitats for Wildlife program. During their visit, students explored global conservation efforts and discussed the challenges wildlife face both around the world and in our own backyard.

Inspired by what they learned, the students were keen to keep the momentum going. That enthusiasm carried into their first incursion, where Rebecca Lim from the Zoo’s Discovery and Learning team joined them on campus.

Together, they surveyed our school grounds, spotted signs of local wildlife, and explored how the College environment could better support native species

Creating a Native Garden

From their findings, the students decided to focus their project on the Black Cockatoo, a charismatic bird whose numbers are sadly declining due to habitat loss across the state.

To help, the Eco Sisters will be transforming a garden bed tucked between the gymnasium and the Stoneham Road fence into a native foraging space designed especially for these birds. Their goal is to plant native species that provide food and shelter, helping to support Black Cockatoos and other local wildlife.

The students are currently researching the best plants for the job and preparing to turn their ideas into a real, living habitat.

Joanne Priest, Science Teacher and Eco Sisters Coordinator shared, “This program is designed to ignite a passion in students to care for wildlife in their local area through tangible actions. This will hopefully inspire long term advocacy to care for the environment.”

Growing Knowledge and Connection

This project is giving students a chance to connect deeply with nature, collaborate as a team, and build practical skills in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Year 9 student Skye shared, “Being part of Habitats for Wildlife has been amazing. Working with Perth Zoo has helped us see how we can really take action and inspire others to care for our native species.”

We’re proud of our Eco Sisters for stepping up and leading the way. They are showing that small actions, like planting the right tree in the right place, can have a lasting impact.

We can’t wait to see this space come to life and the positive ripple it will create across our community.

BlackCockatooConservation, EcoSisters, EnvironmentalEducation, Featured, NativeGardenProject, PerthZoo, SantaMariaCollege, SustainabilityInSchools

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.