Primary schools' eco-survey day at Lake Cargelligo
Year 3 and 4 students from Lake Cargelligo and Hillston participate in an excursion to investigate the health of the Lake
Community Participation - LP049-008
The issue
Students in rural towns have poor access to environmental education programs. The ecological survey day was an opportunity to address this, and simultaneously provided an opportunity for students from two schools 100 kilometres apart (in Lake Cargelligo and Hillston) to meet each other and work with each other.
The solution
Students from St Joseph's Primary School in Hillston travelled to Lake Cargelligo on September 1, 2022, where they met students of the same age from St Francis Xavier's School. The students and staff undertook ecological surveys of birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates, and learned about the local catchment (the Lachlan).
The impact
The students concluded that the ecology of Lake Cargelligo was generally quite healthy, with large numbers of juvenile native fish such as gudgeons and hardyheads, and many species of native birds, such as pelicans, great crested grebes and ducks. The students also concluded that the Lake was 'a little bit unhealthy' due to the presence of introduced carp and redfin in the fish samples.
Learnings
Days like this provide a great opportunity for students in isolated communities to get to know each other and work together. Ecological surveys are a perfect tool for introducing students to science, surveying and monitoring. There is enthusiasm from both St Francis Xavier's and St Joseph's Schools to continue the science/ecological program in the future.
Key facts
- 40 students participated in ecological surveys at Lake Cargelligo.
- They found large numbers of native fish.
- They observed various species of native birds.
- Two introduced fish species were found - carp and redfin.
- The students concluded the Lake was mostly healthy.