Students at St Stephen’s Primary School Algester have marked Schools Tree Day – 27 July – with Environment Minister and local member for Algester Leeanne Enoch by planting native saplings at their school.
Fifteen students aged seven to twelve from the school’s Catchment Club – an environment action group at the school – joined the Minister on Friday to talk about the importance of environmental conservation.
Ms Enoch said today was about celebrating Australia’s native vegetation and engaging our next generation to actively care for our unique landscape.
“It’s important we protect our natural environment and teach our children to do the same,” Ms Enoch said.
“Schools Tree Day is part of National Tree Day celebrations which is the country’s largest community tree-planting and nature care event and highlights the important role our native vegetation has in providing habitats for our species.”
Minister Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to protecting Queensland’s environment, now and for future generations.
“That is why we have implemented a suite of initiatives, including our vegetation management laws, our $500 million flagship Land Restoration Fund, and carbon farming programs.”
Louise Hoey, a Teacher of Science at St Stephen’s Primary School who coordinates the Sheep Station Gully Environmental Learning Centre, said the Catchment Club is a hands-on program which allows students to work cooperatively and be hands-on in the investigation of living things within the school grounds as well as being able to seek ways to improve is botanical and zoological diversity.
“The Catchment Club is made up of 28 students from Years Four to Six who do a range of activities to engage with the natural environment here at the school,” Ms Hoey said.
“Since the Club was set up, one of the projects the students have undertaken is to plan and construct a frog pond, and they continue to monitor the water quality and the pond life.
“The great thing about the Club is that it is an opportunity for students to have hands-on experiences investigating the biodiversity and ecology of the school grounds.
“The students are engaging with nature, thinking and working just like scientists, to enable them to think and act sustainably and are ecologically aware for now and into the future,” Miss Hoey said.