Fun, interactive biodiversity feature at Price: Small town, big wings
🐦🌱 Creating a fun, interactive biodiversity learning feature helping locals and visitors connect with coastal birds and ecosystems. Check out what this great Grassroots Grants project is doing at Price on the Yorke Pennisula in South Australia.
Check out how Grassroots Grants is being used to turn learning into play – with a fun, interactive biodiversity feature in a community play space in Price 💚. A Grassroots Grants case study.
Small levy dollars. Big curiosity and connection. 💚
Spreading Our Wings: Celebrating Coastal Biodiversity in Price
Are you able to reach the wingspan of the Galah?
Step up then to the wingspan of the Royal Spoonbill.
Try your size against the Spotted Harrier.
See if you can match the wingspan of the wonderful Osprey, or even the much-loved Australian Pelican.
An interactive panel has been created by the Price Progress Association to create awareness of the amazing birdlife of Price on the northern Yorke Peninsula
Tucked along the coast of Northern Yorke, the township of Price sits beside an extraordinary natural landscape – from saltmarshes and mangroves to tidal creeks and coastal flats that support a rich diversity of wildlife.
With support from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Grassroots Grants Program, the Price Progress Association is helping the community and visitors better understand – and connect with – this natural asset through this creative, interactive education project.
Are you able to reach the wingspan of the Galah?
Step up then to the wingspan of the Royal Spoonbill.
Try your size against the Spotted Harrier.
See if you can match the wingspan of the wonderful Osprey, or even the much-loved Australian Pelican.
An interactive panel has been created by the Price Progress Association to create awareness of the amazing birdlife of Price on the northern Yorke Peninsula
Tucked along the coast of Northern Yorke, the township of Price sits beside an extraordinary natural landscape – from saltmarshes and mangroves to tidal creeks and coastal flats that support a rich diversity of wildlife.
With support from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Grassroots Grants Program, the Price Progress Association is helping the community and visitors better understand – and connect with – this natural asset through this creative, interactive education project.
Turning curiosity into connection
The Price Spread Our Wings project centres on the installation of a double‑sided, interactive educational sign in the town’s community nature play space.
Rather than a traditional static sign, this one invites people to spread their arms and compare their wingspan to that of a local bird species – creating a memorable, hands‑on way to learn about the remarkable birds that live in and migrate through the area.
The reverse side of the sign will showcase:
- Local bird species
- Native plants
- Other fauna found in the surrounding coastal and wetland environments
The Price Spread Our Wings project centres on the installation of a double‑sided, interactive educational sign in the town’s community nature play space.
Rather than a traditional static sign, this one invites people to spread their arms and compare their wingspan to that of a local bird species – creating a memorable, hands‑on way to learn about the remarkable birds that live in and migrate through the area.
The reverse side of the sign will showcase:
- Local bird species
- Native plants
- Other fauna found in the surrounding coastal and wetland environments
Highlighting a biodiversity hotspot
Price is bordered by saltmarsh and the mangrove ecosystems of Wills Creek, part of Clinton Conservation Park – habitats that support an estimated 60 to 130 bird species, including shorebirds, seabirds, migratory visitors and grassland feeders.
Despite this richness, many people pass through without realising what’s around them.
This project brings that hidden biodiversity into focus, helping people understand:
- Why these habitats matter
- How different species use the landscape
- What individuals can do to help protect them
Price is bordered by saltmarsh and the mangrove ecosystems of Wills Creek, part of Clinton Conservation Park – habitats that support an estimated 60 to 130 bird species, including shorebirds, seabirds, migratory visitors and grassland feeders.
Despite this richness, many people pass through without realising what’s around them.
This project brings that hidden biodiversity into focus, helping people understand:
- Why these habitats matter
- How different species use the landscape
- What individuals can do to help protect them
Learning through play – for all ages
Positioned beside a community playground, the sign is designed to engage:
- Children and families
- Local residents
- School groups
- Visitors to the town
By blending learning with movement and play, the project encourages curiosity and conversation – turning a simple visit to the playground into an opportunity to learn about nature.
Positioned beside a community playground, the sign is designed to engage:
- Children and families
- Local residents
- School groups
- Visitors to the town
By blending learning with movement and play, the project encourages curiosity and conversation – turning a simple visit to the playground into an opportunity to learn about nature.
Bringing plants into the picture
To complement the sign, the project includes a small native plant display adjacent to the signage.
This living “plant pod” will:
- Showcase local native species
- Reinforce the information on the sign
- Provide a tangible connection between learning and landscape
Species selection has been informed by local environmental expertise, including consultation with Green Adelaide, whose experience in bird surveying and habitat knowledge helped ensure the plantings reflect the coastal ecology of the area. Supporting educational materials from Green Adelaide will also be available locally to extend learning beyond the site.
To complement the sign, the project includes a small native plant display adjacent to the signage.
This living “plant pod” will:
- Showcase local native species
- Reinforce the information on the sign
- Provide a tangible connection between learning and landscape
Species selection has been informed by local environmental expertise, including consultation with Green Adelaide, whose experience in bird surveying and habitat knowledge helped ensure the plantings reflect the coastal ecology of the area. Supporting educational materials from Green Adelaide will also be available locally to extend learning beyond the site.
Building community awareness and pride
Beyond education, the project helps strengthen community identity and pride in local natural assets.
The interactive sign is expected to:
- Spark conversations between locals and visitors
- Encourage interest in bird surveys and conservation groups
- Support future workshops and school‑based activities
- Create new connections with organisations such as Bird SA and local bird monitoring groups
Beyond education, the project helps strengthen community identity and pride in local natural assets.
The interactive sign is expected to:
- Spark conversations between locals and visitors
- Encourage interest in bird surveys and conservation groups
- Support future workshops and school‑based activities
- Create new connections with organisations such as Bird SA and local bird monitoring groups
Starting with the science & experts
Building community awareness and pride
Beyond education, the project helps strengthen community identity and pride in local natural assets.
The interactive sign is expected to:
- Spark conversations between locals and visitors
- Encourage interest in bird surveys and conservation groups
- Support future workshops and school‑based activities
- Create new connections with organisations such as Friends of Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, and local bird monitoring groups
Starting with the science & experts
The Price Progress Association also consulted with Green Adelaide, who undertake local bird surveying in our region and provided valuable supporting resources, including educational flyer material that will be available at the Collective 5570 Hub. In particular, Tony Flaherty and Sam Gorden offered excellent guidance and insights on local birdlife and skinks, further strengthening the ecological accuracy of this project.
Additional contributors included local community members who photographed our special wildlife. The Price Progress Association connected with BirdLife Photography, with Dr Graham Cam, a judge for over 40 years, generously supporting us with his prized pelican image. Members of the SA Wildlife & Bird social media community also contributed images of hard-to-capture poses to match the panel design.
They aimed for a clean, modern look to draw people in and encourage interaction.
When it came to flora, Peri Coleman was incredibly helpful in guiding them through the identification of fan samphire, a vulnerable plant species. This experience took us into the saltpans and deepened understanding of local habitats. The native flora “pod garden” was planted to attract nectar-feeding birds and strengthen the connection between signage and landscape.
This project demonstrates effective cross-sector collaboration, bringing together community knowledge, environmental expertise, and professional design. Working with a graphic designer connected to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens enhanced the quality and clarity of materials, and opened pathways for future projects.
Building community awareness and pride
Beyond education, the project helps strengthen community identity and pride in local natural assets.
The interactive sign is expected to:
- Spark conversations between locals and visitors
- Encourage interest in bird surveys and conservation groups
- Support future workshops and school‑based activities
- Create new connections with organisations such as Friends of Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, and local bird monitoring groups
Starting with the science & experts
The Price Progress Association also consulted with Green Adelaide, who undertake local bird surveying in our region and provided valuable supporting resources, including educational flyer material that will be available at the Collective 5570 Hub. In particular, Tony Flaherty and Sam Gorden offered excellent guidance and insights on local birdlife and skinks, further strengthening the ecological accuracy of this project.
Additional contributors included local community members who photographed our special wildlife. The Price Progress Association connected with BirdLife Photography, with Dr Graham Cam, a judge for over 40 years, generously supporting us with his prized pelican image. Members of the SA Wildlife & Bird social media community also contributed images of hard-to-capture poses to match the panel design.
They aimed for a clean, modern look to draw people in and encourage interaction.
When it came to flora, Peri Coleman was incredibly helpful in guiding them through the identification of fan samphire, a vulnerable plant species. This experience took us into the saltpans and deepened understanding of local habitats. The native flora “pod garden” was planted to attract nectar-feeding birds and strengthen the connection between signage and landscape.
This project demonstrates effective cross-sector collaboration, bringing together community knowledge, environmental expertise, and professional design. Working with a graphic designer connected to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens enhanced the quality and clarity of materials, and opened pathways for future projects.
Grassroots funding, visible impact
With $7,945 in Grassroots Grants funding, matched by volunteer time and in‑kind contributions from the Price Progress Association, the project delivers a highly visible and long‑lasting outcome.
Success will be seen in:
- People actively engaging with the sign
- Increased awareness of local birdlife and habitats
- Community conversations sparked by curiosity and play
- Ongoing use of the sign as a tool for education and events
With $7,945 in Grassroots Grants funding, matched by volunteer time and in‑kind contributions from the Price Progress Association, the project delivers a highly visible and long‑lasting outcome.
Success will be seen in:
- People actively engaging with the sign
- Increased awareness of local birdlife and habitats
- Community conversations sparked by curiosity and play
- Ongoing use of the sign as a tool for education and events
A small town with big wings
By turning learning into something people can see, touch and talk about, Price Spread Our Wings shows how grassroots projects can make biodiversity accessible, fun and meaningful.
It’s a simple idea – but one that helps both locals and visitors better understand the extraordinary coastal environment that makes Price such a special place.
What makes the project successful?
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Key takeaways
|
By turning learning into something people can see, touch and talk about, Price Spread Our Wings shows how grassroots projects can make biodiversity accessible, fun and meaningful.
It’s a simple idea – but one that helps both locals and visitors better understand the extraordinary coastal environment that makes Price such a special place.
What makes the project successful?
|
Key takeaways
|
Grassroots Grants are delivered by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and are a great example of South Australia’s landscape levy at work, supporting local knowledge and community‑led action empowering communities to care for their environment.
Last year, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board's Grassroots Grants (2025-2026) awarded $194,654 through the landscape levy to support volunteers, schools, community groups, First Nations, councils and landholder groups sustainably manage landscapes through on-ground work and education.
Expressions of Interest for the 2026-2027 round have closed. Stay tuned in early 2027 for the opening of the next round.
