Emma Judd, Manny Miriklis, Neveah Milne-Smith, Lenny Howard, Chloe Worm, Ollie Appleby and Anthea Mathers posing in front of the Butterfly Biodiversity section on the Campaspe River.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Students from the Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School were at the walking trail near the Campaspe River on June 18, leaning about butterflies and hanging squirrel glider boxes.
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Lately, the students have been working with John and Veronica Groat at their Squirrel Glider Sanctuary.
The students would help do various tasks around the sanctuary, such as water testing in the river, cutting up fruit for the gliders to eat, and making and decorating the glider boxes.
This comes from a new program at the school, the VPC curriculum for Year 10, 11 and 12 students. The program sees students volunteering, where they interact and help out in different parts of the community.
Students helping John hang a glider enclosure near the Campaspe River.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Teacher Anthea Mathers said it had been a fantastic experience for her young students, and they would certainly be back to do it again.
“The kids have loved working with the gliders, getting new leaves for them, cleaning out their nesting boxes and going and checking them out with a special camera,” she said.
On this excursion, the students were talking and learning about conservation of butterflies and the gliders, which are an endangered species, as well as stapling photos of butterflies to trees to spread awareness of the variety of species in the area.
Ms Mathers said the program was fantastic exposure for her young students, getting out and learning social skills, introducing themselves and getting in and doing work for the community.
“It's just a lovely way to get out in the community, meet lots of wonderful people and see all the great things that are going on,” she said.
Neveah Milne-Smith and Lenny Howard spreading seeds that will grow into butterfly-friendly flowers.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Chloe Worm in front of some newly attached butterflies.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
John Groat and Ollie Appleby in front of the main butterfly tree.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Manny Miriklis helping John place the Butterfly Biodiversity pictures.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Neveah Milne-Smith and Lenny Howard learn about butterfly biodiversity.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
The students listening to Veronica talk about different species of butterflies.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
The students watching John show them how to attach the pictures of butterflies.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
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