Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

Community-Designed Marine Mural

Community-Designed Marine Mural

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (CCWS) aims to foster the creation of a vibrant, marine-themed mural upon the CCWS boundary fence that adjoins the neighbouring public Englands Park. Residents of the Coffs Coast community will be invited to attend a design and painting event where marine themed designs will be incorporated into the mural, drawing focus ...

GOAL

$14,954

Australia > NSW > Regional
11/01/2024 > 02/05/2025

Field of Interest

  • Arts and culture
  • Environment conservation and climate change

Target Population

  • General population
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (CCWS) aspires to be a world-renowned centre of excellence in wildlife conservation, positioning the Coffs Coast as a leader in ecosystem preservation. CCWS's mission focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of native wildlife, providing a haven for injured and orphaned animals with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats.

Through educational programs and research initiatives, CCWS aims to inspire and empower future generations to become stewards of the ocean. As the only facility of its kind in New South Wales, CCWS serves as a lifeline for marine rescue animals, offering rehabilitation, sanctuary, and educational opportunities to both locals and tourists.

CCWS is committed to preserving ecosystems and raising awareness about their fragile nature, ensuring that our efforts continue to protect and sustain the environment for generations to come.

Project Summary

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (CCWS) aims to foster the creation of a vibrant, marine-themed mural upon the CCWS boundary fence that adjoins the neighbouring public Englands Park. Residents of the Coffs Coast community will be invited to attend a design and painting event where marine themed designs will be incorporated into the mural, drawing focus to marine species, threats to marine ecosystems, and ways in which people can protect marine environments.

Development of the mural will bring together community in a collaborate, creative, cultural space, while the finished mural will have long-standing impact on the community’s awareness and understanding of marine conservation, and involvement in marine conservation activities.

Englands Park is located between the Coffs Creek estuary and the CCWS boundary fence. Once complete, the mural will form one boundary of Englands Park, while the estuary naturally forms the other. These two structures, one natural and one human made, form a funnel towards the Coffs coastline. The estuary displays a highly important, diverse marine environment, while the mural parallel will highlight threats facing this environment and the Coffs community’s commitment to marine preservation.

Project Outcomes

The marine mural will foster increased understanding of marine species, threats, and conservation amongst residents and visitors of the Coffs Coast area, encouraging public participation in conservation-based activities that protect the diversity of our natural environment in both day-to-day life, through tasks such as picking up litter and recycling/reusing, and in focused conservation activities, such as volunteering with land care groups and wildlife rescue groups.

Additionally, the resources used to create the mural are ecofriendly, sustainable, and non-toxic to support a safe, stable climate.

The Coffs Coast community will be heavily involved in the project, with locals and visitors invited to put forward design ideas for the mural via social media platforms in the months leading up to the event. The public will be invited to participate in the painting event under the guidance of CCWS staff and volunteers. Additionally, particular focal groups within the community will be contacted by CCWS and invited to propose design ideas for the mural. Such groups include the Gumbaynggirr Jagun Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Services, local LGBTIQ groups, and local disability care groups.

This project will encourage the Coffs Harbour community to come together in a creative, collaborative space to create a long-lasting, meaningful piece of artwork available for public viewing at any time. Those pitching design ideas or attending the mural painting event will have the opportunity to be directly involved in creation of the mural, while qualified CCWS staff and volunteers managing the event and manning information stalls will be available to speak with visitors about marine conservation and ways for visitors to be more involved.

Upon mural completion, guests visiting Englands Park will have the opportunity to visit an aesthetic and informative public space focused on marine ecosystems and conservation. Additionally, CCWS is able to enlist volunteers interested in marine habitat restoration and marine wildlife protection, and alternatively can direct mural visitors to other conservation-based local volunteer groups.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $20,094
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
CCWS (confirmed) $5,140
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $14,954
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Composite fencing @ 100m long x 2.1m purchase $10,000
Composite fencing installation $4,000
Sustainable, eco-friendly paints $954
Local artist design fee $2,000
CCWS event management $1,080
CCWS event marketting $300
CCWS former fence removal $960
CCWS facility use $800

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Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.