Students from Crookwell and Taralga Public Schools learned about the living wilderness at a tree-planting and environmental awareness day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On, October 17, 70 students visited Redbank Reserve about 10 kilometres south-east of Laggan.
Organised by Upper Lachlan Landcare and South East Local Land Services (LLS) with the assistance of Bird Life Australia, Roslyn Landcare and members of the public.
Mark Selmes, Roslyn Landcare said, "while the conditions were very windy, we were blown away, more by the students' enthusiasm for nature, than by the weather."
Students rotated between four activities, he said.
During a nature walk, LLS advisor Jenny Schabel explained the importance of the reserve's as a "living museum". The reserve shows what this region may have looked like over a hundred years ago, she said. It is an example of natural grassy woodland with many native plants including orchids, Lillies, and daisies.
Ms Schabel encouraged the students' natural curiosity and helped them to interact with the various elements of a functioning ecosystem.
Ruth Aveyard coordinator of Upper Lachlan Landcare said it was important that the students learned about working together to restore environments, maintain healthy landscapes and sustainable agricultural practices.
Students plantings would create pathways across the landscape linking natural habitats, this means that native plants and animals can safely move and survive long into the future, she said.
"The real benefits will come later," Ms Aveyard said.
A student said, "once I was shown how to plant a tree, it was easy."
Col Kohlhagen of Bird Life Australia and Bird Life Southern Highlands have monitored bird species in local travelling stock reserves for the last 18 months.
Mr Kohlhagen explained his love of bird watching.
"It's free and they don't close for public holidays," he said.
Students knew the answer to his question: what would you do if you find a bird nest? "Leave it alone, don't interfere with it," students chorused.
Last week (October 21-27) was National Bird Week, which included the Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
LLS's, Nathan Armytage and Josh Hannan, exhibited taxidermy and explained the difference between native and introduced pest animal species.
Students learned about the impact of pests on the natural landscape, wildlife and agriculture through predation, competition, land degradation and the spread of disease.
Teachers in attendance from Crookwell Public School were Mr Roberts, Ms Kemp and Ms Della, and from Taralga Public School Ms Grahame and Ms Twigg.
Ms Kemp and former teacher Mr Rowe said not all learning occurs in the classroom: Learning comes from practical experiences and learning about the future, like the seedlings the students planted, it is ultimately in their hands.
