Young people from across Western Victoria will benefit from the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants, helping to fund projects and learning activities that provide both environmental and educational outcomes for young people.
Labor Member for Wester Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that 6 projects in south-west Victoria were funded through the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program, out of the total 111 projects selected throughout the state.
The projects selected within south-West Victoria are:
| Apollo Bay P-12 College | Apollo Bay Propagation Tree Day | As part of their grade seven environmental studies the school will run a propagation and revegetation education program. Students will collect local native seed, propagate their own plants and then plant them at school and home. Each session will be accompanied by a guest speaker who will talk about the ecology and importance of local native plants as well as collection, propagation and planting techniques and science. | $5,000 |
| Lismore Primary School | Indigenous culture and environmental awareness project | Part 1 of the project includes a whole school excursion to Tower Hill nature reserve, near Warrnambool to join an indigenous guide on a 2 hour walking tour to learn the Aboriginal history of the area, the indigenous use of native plants, and the importance of this habitat for wildlife.
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$1,413 |
| Skipton Primary School | Habitat enhancement of Mount Emu Creek | Skipton Primary School will continue revegetation work along Mount Emu Creek to enhance platypus habitat, and run an indigenous incursion for students to learn the areas Aboriginal history and its importance to Wadawurrung traditional owners. This project will continue this work and build on the students’ knowledge of indigenous plants, animals and culture by funding. |
$1,075 |
| St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School | Bannockburn Nature Reserve Engagement and Enhancement | St Mary MacKillop intends to partner with Stuart McColl and Friends of Bannockburn Bush to contribute to the sustainability of the Bannockburn Nature reserve by removing introduced weeds and revegetating a cleared section of the reserve with native trees. Students will also use this outdoor learning location to learn about local flora and fauna and the local indigenous culture. They will practice citizen science by observing and identifying native birds, plants and insects. | $2,420 |
| Warrnambool East Primary School | Schoolyard Habitat Project | Students will transform a dedicated area of the school grounds into a place that engages the entire school community in habitat restoration while developing a citizenry that consciously values their environment. Students will work together on the student led process to create a natural space where they can observe, draw, write, think and question. The project will restore local native habitat, while including seating and shade structures to benefit both wildlife and people. | $5,000 |
| Woodford Primary School | Signs of the River | The students will design and construct a sign highlighting the flora and fauna of the Merri River which adjoins the school. The students will use a motion activated camera to observe the local wildlife in the school grounds and along the river and learn about these animals. The images will feature in the school newsletter. | $1,600 |
These projects enable young people to participate in hands on environmental learning activities, helping to inspire our next generation to value, protect and enjoy our natural environment now and into the future.
The grants contribute to Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 goals and deliver projects that support Victorians to value and connect with nature, and protect the natural environment.
The grants, of up to $5,000 have been awarded to Victorian schools, kindergartens, preschools, childcare centres, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth groups, youth environmental volunteer groups, and Junior Landcare groups, and enable small projects to make a big difference to improve habitat and reduce threats to biodiversity in Victoria.
This is part of the $7.4 million Community Environment Grants package funded by the Victorian Government to support small and large-scale projects dedicated to preserving Victoria’s biodiversity and waterways.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“It’s wonderful to see young people from Western Victoria benefitting from these grants, which not only help foster a love of our incredible natural environment but make a real difference to helping protect local habitat.”
“Enabling children and young people to get involved in projects like these can lead to a lifelong appreciation of nature with benefits to the environment and community.”
“We very much look forward to seeing the results ahead for these projects and thank all of the volunteer, school groups for getting involved.”