Townsville schools, and one community group, are learning how to protect the environment through a new council initiative – adopting, and caring for, local waterways.
The four schools; St Benedict’s Catholic School, Riverside Adventist School, Belgian Gardens State School, Mutarnee State School and the Coastal Dry Tropics Junior Landcare Group have all signed on to the Adopt-A-Creek program.
Adopt-A-Creek is part of the Creekwatch program, an initiative of the Townsville City Council, delivered in collaboration with OzFish Unlimited; to engage the community in water catchment management and monitoring.
Council’s Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson, Maurie Soars, said getting schools and community groups involved is a great way to connect residents with their environment.
“As a Reef Guardian Council, we are always looking for opportunities to get the community involved in protecting our waterways,” Cr Soars said.
“Adopt-A-Creek is an exciting way to educate and engage the region’s youth about our natural habitat and how to care for it.
“Teachers leading the program receive training and waterway monitoring kits to use for their chosen waterway.
“This helps them to monitor fish, insects and water quality to give a clearer picture of the health of these systems and to identify opportunities where habitats can be improved.”
St Benedict’s Catholic School is one of four schools to be involved in the program for 2022 and has adopted the waterway behind the Shaw-based school.
St Benedict’s Catholic School Principal, Penny Collins, said Council’s Adopt-A-Creek program is an exciting project for the students.
“Our Environmental Education program already sees our students learn so many cross curricular skills that can be used in all areas of life, by engaging in the learning experiences,” Mrs Collins said.
“The Adopt-A-Creek program is adding another element as students are involved in gathering research that could impact the decision making of how Townsville schools manage any residual runoff into nearby waterways.”
Anyone interested in adopting a creek or getting involved with the Creekwatch program can contact OzFish at creekwatch@ozfish.org.au
Featured Image: Cr Maurie Soars with teacher Lizzy Christie, Principal Penny Collins and students (L to R) Amelia, Sam, Emerson and Fletcher.
Image: City of Townsville
