School students across Monaro are helping track one of NSW's rarest reptiles through a school program that's turning classrooms into conservation hubs.
As part of the 'Discovering Dragons' program led by the NSW Government's Saving our Species program, local students have been learning about the native Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon while contributing directly to monitoring work in the field.
A key feature of the program has been inviting students to suggest names for newly recorded dragons detected during monitoring surveys. Students submitted 96 names, with 39 already adopted by field teams this season, including 'DJ 67', 'Baby Godzilla', 'Bartholemu', 'Toby', 'Clover' and 'Larry'.
The program builds on a 2024 pilot that introduced students to the species through a presentation and a creative activity involving painting a 3D-printed Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon.
The expanded 2026 program included more immersive learning experiences, such as mock reptile monitoring and using endoscope cameras to explore pretend spider burrows and locate hidden wildlife.
In total, more than 360 students were engaged across 11 school sessions in seven schools spanning Adaminaby, Cooma, Berridale, Michelago and Nimmitabel, with a further 95 children and 145 adults reached at the Dalgety Annual Show.
The program aims to build long-term awareness of the Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon and its grassland habitat, strengthening student understanding of local biodiversity and conservation through hands-on learning and direct involvement in real monitoring outcomes.
The program was delivered in partnership with the Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance, which provided monitoring support, and the Upper Snowy Landcare Network, which supported program delivery through the NSW Landcare Enabling Program.
Quotes attributable to Senior Threatened Species Officer, Monica Knipler:
"This program is giving students across the Monaro a unique opportunity to connect with one of NSW's rarest reptiles in a very hands-on way.
"This program enables students to directly engage with conservation work happening in their own region.
"Beyond the classroom, the program is helping build long-term awareness and understanding of the Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon and its habitat.
"The enthusiasm from students shows how powerful practical, place-based learning can be in inspiring the next generation of conservationists."
