Swampy classroom connects kids with nature

Mount Compass Area School has an actual swamp on their school grounds – a real, damp, peaty, muddy, whimsical swamp.

The ‘Mount Compass Area School Swamp’ is part of the Fleurieu Swamps network, a unique and nationally recognised critically endangered ecological community, found only in the Hills and Fleurieu region. Not only that, but the school swamp is also where the students undertake some of their school learnings, and they take their role as swamp stewards very seriously.

Mount Compass Area School principal, Lucie Walker explains more.

“The 17 hectares of swamp, forest, and farmland at our school provides a diverse and unique ‘classroom’ where students develop a deep connection to the environment. They explore the relationship between agriculture and nature, while learning the importance of preserving and caring for our land.”

“We feel so privileged to be stewards of this special place. The swamp has significant First Nations cultural value, spanning thousands of years. As a community, we want to ensure that we do our best to look after it while it is in our care.”

Through the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program, the school has been able to undertake more swamp revegetation programs and purchase much-needed water testing kits and equipment.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of our community members, the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and other agencies who generously share their knowledge, time and support to help us with this important environmental work,” said Ms Walker.

Characterised by their reedy or heathy vegetation, Fleurieu Swamps occur along low-lying creeks and flats in the catchment areas of Tookayerta, Hindmarsh, Parawa, Myponga, Yankalilla, Currency Creek and Finniss.

The swamps also have cultural significance for the Warki, Ramindjeri and Ngarrindjeri people who have also worked with the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and Yundi Nature Conservancy to restore aboriginal knowledge and values into the conservation and management of the swamps.

Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu Regional Ecologist, Luke Price, spoke about the ecological values of the swamps and how the school is contributing to habitat protection for threatened species.

“The network of Fleurieu Swamps supports hundreds of species of plants and animals, many are nationally threatened and found no-where else. Species such as the Mount Compass oak-bush, Entrecasteaux's skink, the Mount Lofty Ranges southern emu-wren, and the Fleurieu leek orchid.

“The swamps once existed over about 2,000 hectares. Less than half of the swamps now remain and most are highly fragmented and often heavily degraded – through vegetation clearance, reclamation and weed invasion. Of the areas left, only about 2% can be considered in near pristine condition, so the protection, restoration and active management of all Fleurieu swamps is vital to help maintain the unique biodiversity of our region.

“The work of the school to undertake revegetation and water-testing services in the swamp helps with its conservation. It is an incredible learning opportunity for the students and encourages a sense of stewardship that will hopefully see them look after the natural environment for many years to come,” he said.