|
25 June 2009
Wilsons Creek ’s got worms!
Thanks to an enthusiastic team of teachers, a curious bunch of students and a little help from Byron Shire Council, WilsonsCreekPublic School became the new home for a big family of fat little wrigglers. Tiger worms - that is, composting worms.
And the amazing news that worms have 5 hearts, breathe through their skin, use their bristles as brakes and have a gizzard like a bird was not wasted on young Cruz B ainbridge who said, “wow … five hearts! They must be really affectionate then!”
“After a fun filled day the school now boasts a new worm farm, a no dig vegie garden, seed trays, a revitalised compost bin, a greater understanding of recycling, a healthy respect for the damage plastic can do to the environment and of course a whole school full of worm enthusiasts,” said Byron Shire Council’s environmental education officer Jude Mason.
The day was part of Byron Shire Council's Footsteps to Sustainability program. The program is a holistic approach to environmental education and has been piloted in schools around the shire.
Council’s Environmental Education Officer Jude Mason and Sustainability Officer Graeme Williams are working together with schools in partnership with the North East Waste Forum, Rous Water and Solo Resource Recovery.
Ms Mason said “working as a group means we have more to offer and we are seeing some great outcomes.”
“The aim is to increase the skills and knowledge of students and their local school community to make informed decisions about ways to minimise the impact we have on the environment.
“The program is flexible and aims to create partnerships with schools and their community,” Ms Mason said.
Wilsons
Creek
Public School
teacher Mark Donovan said, “the day was a real hands on day filled with practical activities.”
“The garden has been planted out with a range of winter vegies including strawberries and herbs, and will be the centre piece in coming weeks as the students explore sustainable living themes and back to basics,” Mr Donovan said.
The school is exploring many environmental themes and is also currently engaged in Rous Water’s Water Watch program (water quality testing and water bugs survey) of WilsonsCreek.
Principal Simon Cook said, “we are gearing up for a nude food day (lunch without packaging) and a recycled waste sculpture competition next term – all fun ways to explore alternatives to our growing waste conundrum and our throw away attitudes.”
Clean Up Australia revealed that 80 million plastic bags find their way to our streets, parks and rivers each year. A sobering thought.
Farm hand Rosie Geoghegan
Worm detective Peyote Simmons
Media Contact: Jude Mason
Environmental Education Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 6626 7077
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
|