Primary school students become stewards
Primary school students become stewards
With the help of Landcare and other organisations, the Think Share Act students at Grose View Primary School have become stewards of the bushland and wildlife on their school.
Community Participation -
LP042 - 08
The issue
Grose View Primary School had a patch of bushland on the school's grounds that was overrun with lantana. The school sought assistance to understand how to manage the bushland, to build skills to do so, and to engage their students, starting with the school leadership team (Think, Share, Act). The bushland had established canopy and some shrubs, but the teachers were not sure what was a weed or native and what the best practice would be. One area was unsafe for students to work on.
The solution
As part of a short-term project, the LLC ran three activity sessions with students. The first included education about weeds, local ecology, the principles of bush regeneration and a chance for students to think about how to approach the challenge. The next two sessions involved having a go, guidance, and a working bee that included parents from the school. The LLC developed educational materials and helped write an overall guide for ongoing management. The LLC's host Hawkesbury River County Council contributed in-kind Landcare hours to treat a section of weeds that were unsafe for students to treat.
The impact
The students embraced their roles as stewards, educated the parents, and kept each other accountable. A few common phrases:
"Don't step on the native plant growing! I need some tape to flag it, so we see it next time"; "I found a native plant!" ; "Stay on the path, that area is regenerating" ; "Don't forget safety glasses to protect your eyes"
The teachers were confident to continue the work with students and can contact the LLC anytime. A large area of lantana was treated and areas were left to treat later, as per best practice. Treated plants were left in situ or removed and stacked to allow geminating native species to grow and provide habitat for invertebrates.
Key facts
- LLCs can provide short term guidance in short time frames
- LLCs help empower schools to begin and continue Landcare activities
- Primary students embrace responsibility (and enjoy it) when they can learn themselves, contribute to planning and then educating others (share!)