Little Bendigo Primary School Environmental Area

This was a major project undertaken by the school for many years. As a result there is a wonderful area across the road from the school that is used for environmental studies.

History

Little Bendigo Primary School embarked on a unique environmental program during 1993 when it requested and received permission from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to reclaim an area of Crown Land adjacent to the school. The site consisted of pine trees, gorse and broome with only a few indigenous grasses and trees evident. The ultimate objective, which it was estimated would take at least ten years, was to recover the area to its natural state. Initially the project was under the guidance of Mr Geoff Park, Education Officer from the Creswick Nursery and Landcare Centre. He attended working bees, recommended appropriate plantings, suggested methods of weed eradication and ran in-service workshops for teachers and interested community members.

Progress of Project.

• 1993 — Large pines were removed by local contractor and smaller species cleared at a school working bee. Mr Geoff Park worked closely with the school to design and implement a school based environmental program involving all students from grades P-6.The first of many pupil tree planting days was held with over one hundred and fifty indigenous trees planted.

• 1994- Specialist program implemented at school to ensure the project is for all children and under the direction of one trained teacher. Arbour Week is celebrated with further tree planting.

• 1995- Parent workshop is held . Recommendations from this encourage the school to become more involved in seed collection of local species including grasses. Experiments are conducted on the best methods of weed eradication. Children are involved in monitoring experimental areas.

• 1996 -Shadehouse was constructed for storage of plants. The area is sometimes used for potting up but space is limited. Bird boxes are constructed and placed in the environmental area. Some paths are designed and work is begun on their construction. It is anticipated that other schools in the district will eventually visit our school and use the area to assist their environmental programs. Over five hundred trees have now been planted.

• 1997- A school environmental committee is formed to assist the specialist teacher and to report to school council on the progress of the program. Planting out of grasses collected from local seed is conducted. Equipment is purchased to assist with the program.

• 1998- Plans for a ponding area were suggested. Further paths were developed and another two hundred trees planted.

• 1999 — Ponding area is constructed. An area of bottlebrushes is established to attract native birds.

Construction of a shade house and work bench area.