ART, conservation and international collaboration have come together with the launch of Wings Over Wetlands, a new initiative designed to raise awareness of migratory birds and the critical role wetlands play in sustaining them.
The project brings together organisations connected to Port Stephens’ wetlands to highlight the extraordinary journeys made each year by migratory shorebirds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.
These birds rely on a chain of healthy wetlands across the globe, including Port Stephens and its sister wetland in Kushiro, Japan.
Supporting the broader vision, Port Stephens Sister Cities has received funding from Port Stephens Council to establish an annual Threatened Species Festival, to be held each September to coincide with the arrival of migratory birds.
The festival will focus on threatened species, particularly shorebirds that depend on internationally significant habitats in both regions.
“This funding from Port Stephens Council enables us to celebrate our unique international partnership, raise awareness about threatened species, and inspire community action to protect these vital habitats,” said Elaine Fereday of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee
“The arrival of the birds each September is a natural spectacle that reminds us of our connection to the global environment.”
To begin planning for the first festival in 2027, an art competition organised by Port Stephens Community Arts Centre and sponsored by Ingenia Communities is being held.
Arts Centre Chairperson Meryl Miller, said the idea “is to find a design for street banners that will be flown in the streets of the Tomaree Peninsula each September to highlight the arrival of the birds in Australia.”
Prizes totalling $6,650 will be awarded, with a representative from the Kushiro Wetlands Organisation joining the judging panel.
Community engagement started early, with a mini carnival held at Apex Park last Sunday.
It offered opportunities to learn about the flyway, take part in pavement chalk art and create shorebird puppets.
The Curious Legends giant cockatoo and seagull puppets roamed the surrounds enthralling intrigued bystanders.
Walks hosted by the Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group were also held to mark World Wetlands Day.
Council representative on the committee, East Ward Councillor Roz Armstrong, said that while activities for the first Threatened Species Festival would be centred on the Tomaree Peninsula, she believed that other communities in the Local Government Area could replicate the festival, with a focus on a different threatened bird, plant or animal species.
“Imagine banners flying all over Port Stephens depicting our amazing, but threatened, flora and fauna,” she said, “Koalas in the Tilly and Iron Barks in the Wallalong Valley.”
“It would not be beyond the realms of possibility that international visitors, seeking environmental adventures on our shores and arriving at our new international airport, would contribute to this annual celebration.”
Art competition winners will be announced during Threatened Species Day celebrations in September 2026, with banners set to fly for the first time in September 2027.
Organisers hope the initiative will inspire lasting awareness and action to protect wetlands and threatened species, locally and internationally.
For more information, go to pscac.org.au/east-asian-australasian-flyway-art-competition.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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