Students go ‘green’ for 15th Appila Springs education day

Years Two and Three students from Jamestown Community School, St James School Jamestown, Orroroo and Booleroo Centre Area schools, Gladstone, Wirrabara and Laura Primary schools, and St Joseph’s School Gladstone took part in the day, run by the Caltowie Corridors of Green Landcare Group.

Proudly supported by Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, the community-run event saw students take part in seven different workshops throughout the day.

Workshops included Animals Anonymous, Rocks & Minerals, Reptiles, Wattles, Seed Bomb Making, Nature Play Treasure Hunt, and Water Watch activities presented by NRM staff, Animals Anonymous, Adelaide; Greening Australia and the SA Health OPAL team from Port Pirie.

Southern Flinders and Upper North Team Leader Community Kate Pearce says it is an outstanding achievement for a small community group to have been hosting this event for 15 years.

"This event just proves what a small community can achieve," Ms Pearce says.

"The feedback from the students, parents and teachers involved was fantastic and the event just continues to grow and gain momentum every year.

"Caltowie Corridors of Green Landcare Group pioneered this idea in the district and it has become a model for other communities who are now hosting similar events."

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Ranger Perri Carter agrees, saying the education day has established itself as a valuable learning opportunity for students and a chance for the Caltowie Corridors of Green Landcare Group to share its passion for the local environment.

"The fact that this is the 15th annual Appila Springs Environmental Education Day shows how committed the Caltowie Corridors of Green group are to educating students about the environment," Ms Carter says.

"They are providing tangible learning opportunities to educate the future generation about revegetation, water courses and all these aspects of the natural environment by passing on their knowledge and care.

"Appila Springs is such an amazing hidden little gem with lots of different invertebrates and frogs living in the water, and birds and animals using it as an important water refuge.

"By taking the classroom into it, the children can see first-hand the value of the plants and trees and what role they play in the environment."