From plants to pollinators: Students lead the next chapter of Precious Plants for Precious People
A much-loved education initiative is continuing to grow as students take the lead in sharing knowledge about plants, pollinators and the local environment across the Murraylands and Riverland.
The Precious Plants for Precious People program started as a simple but meaningful idea where students receive a local native plant to gift to someone special in their life – a ‘precious person.’ This act of giving connects environmental learning with personal relationships, while encouraging the planting of species that support biodiversity.
The program has been connecting students, families and communities with local native plants for 13 years. This year, the program expanded in an exciting new direction – empowering students to teach their peers through the Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) program.
Hands-on learning about plants and pollinators
During term 1, YEL forums held in both the Murraylands and Riverland brought together students from across the state under the theme ‘precious plants and pollinators.’
At these forums, students learnt about the critical role of pollinators, including birds, bees and insects, as well as the native plants that can support them.
They also took part in a range of engaging activities including building bee hotels and insect watering stations, participating in pollinator hunts through local bushland and planting native species.
From learning to leading
YEL students were given the opportunity to develop their very own Precious Plants for Precious People sessions, to be delivered in term 2 in the lead up to Mother’s Day. This enabled the students to take what they had learned and share it with their school peers.
The sessions featured presentations, hands-on planting demonstrations and creative activities. One of the schools even introduced a unique initiative – running a competition encouraging students to reflect on who they would gift their plant to and why.
More than 90 students from 15 schools participated in the forums.
The landscape board’s Education program provided YEL schools with over 1080 local native plants (suitable for pollinators) for their sessions. The Education team also delivered their own in-class sessions which included story book readings, pollinator hunts, education on the importance of pollinators and planting native plants – as well as distributing over 500 additional plants across the region.
Planting the seeds for future change
Combining the success of Precious Plants for Precious People with the leadership focus of the YEL program has been a meaningful step forward.
It’s not just about planting native species – it’s about building environmental awareness, supporting biodiversity and empowering young people to lead change in their communities. It shows what’s possible when schools, community groups, local experts and students come together with a shared purpose.
As these young leaders continue to share their knowledge and passion, the impact of the program will keep growing.
Partnerships bringing the program to life
The YEL forums and Precious Plants for Precious People sessions would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of experts, community organisations, local councils, plant suppliers and dedicated volunteers.
Shared knowledge from native bee expert Katja Hogendoorn and local bird specialist Toby Galligan helped deepen students’ understanding of pollinators, while Mid Murray Landcare, Orana, Riverland Native Plants and State Flora supported the program through the supply of native plants.
The Coorong District Council, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Loxton Retirement Village Community Centre, Loxton Men’s Shed, Pangarinda Botanic Gardens and community member Warren Couzens all provided support through materials, forum venues, time and expertise – helping to bring the workshops and activities to life.
