By Tyler Wright
Children in the Dandenong Ranges put their green thumbs into action during a planting day at Gembrook Park on Thursday 26 May.
Gembrook Primary School students, from grade three through to grade six, were encouraged to get involved in revegetation and biodiversity enhancement of their local reserve as part of a partnership between Friends of Gembrook Park, Landcare Australia and the Cardinia Environment Coalition.
Nicci Starke, Landcare Facilitator, assisted the ‘eco-warriors’ in planting native shrubbery including raspberry, prickly currant, kangaroo apple and the tasman flax lily.
“We’ve already got the cover with the Blackwood, we’re [now] trying to bring up the undercovers…the more you’ve got these Indigenous species on the edge, the more they keep the weed species out,” Ms Starke said.
Friends of Gembrook Park and Beaconhills College students laid out the foundation for the planting beds alongside the walking track in March, with plans to venture further into the reserve.
The passionate gardeners had to make sure they did not break the plant stems while using biodegradable weed bedding and mulch to keep the seedlings protected and thriving.
“The plants have fences and tree guards to protect [them] while they’re young so the animals don’t eat them – and then when the plants are tall enough and robust enough to withstand a bit of nibbling, the rangers will take down the fences and we’ll help them with that,” Friends of Gembrook Park volunteer Cheryl DeCoite said.
“Then those plants are available for the animals to eat and shelter in when they’re a bit bigger,” she added.
The group of students eagerly, yet gently, plotted their allocated plants alongside a partner – already experienced in acting sustainably during school hours.
“They make sure everything’s divided properly into the right rubbish bins; composting, recycling and rubbish…they also go around the school and educate other children,” Gembrook Primary Sustainability Coordinator Sharon Bennett said.
“It’s really good to make them more aware of how important it is to have the right habitat for wildlife; it’s all been stripped and replaced with all this stuff that the animals and birds really can’t survive [on],” Ms Bennett said.
Grade four student Aidan said he enjoyed learning how to plant correctly and is passionate about nature.
“I think it’s really important for animals to keep living and us not be the only things on earth,” he said.
For grade five student Erin, it was “really fun” to go on the adventure to Gembrook Park.
“I like how all the animals know right when they come out of their nest, how to fly and use their wings – or already know how to use their hunting skills,” she said.
Friends of Gembrook Park have planned another planting sessions with Gembrook Primary School next week – made possible by a $5,000 grant from the Australia Home Heating Association.
