We've really only just started in the 'twitch-game', with this Jan.'s
"Great Tassie Twitch" being the first Twitchathon in Tasmania for a
number of years. We are never going to be 'competitive' with the
mainland states as far as species go - there just aren't as many in
Tassie! We also didn't push the fundraising line here (though we did
get 43 participants over 13 teams raising about $360. It was billed
more as a fun event - and most had fun! Though few teams really did a
lot of travelling - my own team did about 650km in the 24 hours, but we
were well above most others. What we did do was have a whole host of
categories people could enter, certificates for everyone who
participated (no fancy prizes), and lots of camaraderie. We may not
have raised a lot of money, but that is not what primarily prompted
most to take part.
John & Shirley Tongue
Hobart
(organizers of the inaugural "Great Tassie Twitch)
On Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at 08:32 PM, Michael Todd wrote:
Hello all,
Writing as a former Whacked-out Woodswallow I'll have to be careful
how I respond to this one!
First of all, I congratulate the woodswallows for making an effort to
alleviate the greenhouse impacts of the twitchathon (well, their part
in it anyway). My hat (if I was wearing one) goes off to you.
Sure, the fundraising side of things is important and is the original
idea for the competition. But I don't think there's any harm in some
healthy competition and a bit fun as well. They can be compatible.
However, I kind of agree with Keith Brandwood on the competition side
of things. In NSW at least (I can't speak for the other states), I
think the twitchathon, as a competition has become a bit regimented.
To be in with a competitive chance of winning, identifying the maximum
number of species in the 24 hrs, and thus raising more money, there
are very few possible routes that can be taken. And to get the count
of ~230 species a lot of driving is required, thus chewing up
considerable fuel, churning out greenhouse gases etc. You cannot get
this high a count in NSW without visiting most of the major habitats
in NSW, in particular covering inland wetlands, woodlands, coastal
forests and wetlands etc. I believe that to be competitive there is
only one approximate geographic route that can be taken.
I reckon that the twitchathon should be shaken up a bit by providing
new rules and incentives to teams to twitch in different ways some of
which could be more climate- change friendly. Just about all teams
would end up with a Silver Gull on their list. However, not all teams
would end up with Square-tailed Kite. What about a system where
different bird species scored more highly than the abundant ones. What
about a bonus system for getting the full swag of a particular suite
of birds- say all the thornbills? With enough tinkering you could
possibly get a system that would bring the states onto an even basis
so that we could have a true Australian competition (I think Stuart
Cooney might have looked at this with the last twitchathon).
If a score of 500 became the average winning total there might be
numerous ways in which to get there and a myriad of different
strategies would develop, some of which might not have to involve
driving thousands of kilometres. The twitchathon could become more
fun, more competitive, have a higher profile, attract more competitors
and ultimately raise more funds!
Anyway, its just an idea! Anyone have any other suggestions?
Cheers
Mick Todd
____________
Michael Todd
Wildlifing- Images of Nature- www.wildlifing.com
Ranelagh, Tasmania
Latest Additions: Updated Australian Mammals Gallery
Mobile: o41o 123715
Carol Probets wrote:
Hi all,
I followed the recent thread on Twitchathons with interest, and my
intention here is not to start up the discussion again as most of the
points on both sides of the argument have already been made. I
refrained from posting at the time because I wanted to run an idea
past my team leader David Geering, who was away from contact over
Easter.
I've now done that and am able to say that this year, the Whacked-Out
Woodswallows will run a "carbon neutral race" by purchasing carbon
credits to offset our own travelling associated with the event, from
one of the organisations involved in genuine carbon-reducing projects
(not just sequestration). For a list of such organisations see:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/
carbon_neutral.asp
We're fully aware that this does not exempt us from all blame nor
eliminate the emissions from our own travelling during the event. But
I do hope it will go some way towards a satisfactory compromise. On
the one hand it's the extreme nature of the Twitch that grabs
people's attention and makes this such a successful fund-raising
event. It provides enjoyment for many more than just the actual
competitors. On the other hand it's that same resource-hungry nature
of the race which eats at our consciences and leaves us open to the
sort of criticism brought up in the recent discussion.
So this is only a small gesture but I hope it sets an example to
other teams, especially those like us who do what has been dubbed a
"double twitch" in order to be competitive and have a chance at the
main prize.
Hey, nobody's perfect, and this is a once-a-year event which raises a
substantial amount of funds for a good conservation cause. Let's all
do the best we can without abolishing our sense of fun.
cheers,
Carol Probets
Whacked-Out Woodswallow
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