Select one of the following five options in each block using the number attributed to it. When finished, for a bit of fun, add up your numbers to determine if you generally like animals and nature, you’re quite good but have your limits, you’re an enthusiastic supporter or an absolute fanatic!
BIRDS
YOUR SCORE
1
I have a fear or dislike of birds
2
Birds are OK and I know my Lorikeets from my Kookaburras
3
I can tell a difference between a Magpie and a Currawong
4
I know the names of almost all the birds in my area
5
I am a Twitcher and I have identified hundreds of birds
MAMMALS
YOUR SCORE
1
I don’t like furry things – big or small
2
I like my animals and I know the difference between my Koalas and my Kangaroos
3
I know the difference between Wallabies and Kangaroos
4
I can name at least 20 different types of Australian mammals
5
I am an animal fanatic and regularly study and research their habits. I work with animals
TREES
YOUR SCORE
1
Trees are a nuisance especially when it comes to views
2
I like my trees and can tell the difference between a gum tree and a pine tree
3
I can name at least three types of Eucalypts
4
I know the names of at least half the trees within a kilometre of me
5
I know my trees and which ones will provide me food or medicine
FLOWERS
YOUR SCORE
1
I stay away from flowers. I may be allergic
2
Flowers are nice and I sometimes buy them or pick them
3
I have a rough idea of which are the indigenous flowers and which are exotic flowers in my area
4
I can recognise and name at least 10 Australian wildflower types
5
I study wild flowers and know which ones provide me food or medicine
INSECTS
YOUR SCORE
1
I hate crawly things and often kill the ones I don’t like
2
Insects are ok as long as they are outside
3
Insects have a role to play. I respect them and I leave them alone
4
I actively encourage and attract certain insects to my gardens my garden would do if I had a garden
5
I study and research insects
REPTILES
YOUR SCORE
1
Reptiles such as snakes and frogs creep me out
2
Reptiles are ok as long as they stay away from me
3
If I see a reptile in trouble I will move it or call for help
4
I actively encourage reptiles such as frogs or snakes in my garden or would do if I had a garden
5
I keep or research reptiles
LAND
YOUR SCORE
1
Australia has lots of land – so what?
2
I regularly go to the parks and local reserves and appreciate the need for them
3
I recognise the land set aside for farming another human activity is out of balance with land set aside to support nature
4
I actively plant plants in my garden to attract nature or regularly work in gardens or parks that attract nature
5
I actively invest in or physically support land restoration work on rewilding activities
HOME
YOUR SCORE
1
Nature in annoying and belongs outside
2
I like plants in my house but spiders are not welcome
3
I’m not fussed about plants and most insects in my house
4
I actively encourage plants and insects in my house
5
There is little difference between the inside of my house and the outdoors. Wild animals regularly frequent inside
PETS
YOUR SCORE
1
My pets are my business
2
My pets generally stay within my house or garden
3
I have taken active steps to put bells or other devices on my pets to warn other animals of their presence
4
I am aware that close to 80% of extinction of our Australian animals are due to pets either at home or running wild. I make sure my pets do not attack wildlife
5
I actively participate in events to help manage feral animal populations
MISTLETOE
YOUR SCORE
1
What is that?
2
Mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas under which lovers are expected to kiss
3
Australia has its own types of mistletoe
4
Mistletoe is a semi parasite and Australia has more than 90 different species of mistletoe
5
In Victoria they have discovered a symbiotic relationship between mistletoe and local trees and are actively attaching mistletoe to the trees to allow them to thrive
YOUR SCORE
YOUR RATING
5-15
It’s my life and I will live it how I like
16-25
I know I generally like animals and nature but they are not a big focus in my life
26-35
I’m quite good with my attention to nature but I do have my limits and I could do more
36-45
I am an enthusiastic supporter of nature but I am no an expert. I know we need to get the balance right between us as humans and our animals and plants
46-50
I am a nature fanatic and love learning and researching more about nature. I’m at one with nature and in balance with my environment
