A group of 54 Year five and six students from Cobar spent two days learning about managing natural resources at an education day hosted by the Buckwaroon Landcare Group (BLG) last week.
The children from Cobar Public School and St John’s Primary School attended an information session where they learnt about erosion, property planning, managing grasses and protecting malleefowl.
This information was followed up with an excursion to Nullogoola, the property of BLG members David and Rikki Allen, where the students observed and applied skills from the school-based session.
Students participated in a number of activities including classing wool, working the animals, learning about reptiles and how to read satellite imagery and weather maps.
Now in its tenth year, this initiative is supported and attended by Peak Gold Mines, Local Land Services, Office of Environment and Heritage staff and local volunteer Michael Halliger.
Buckwaroon Landcare president, Robert Chambers said he is encouraged by the benefits he sees the children receiving from the program.
Mr Chambers acknowledged all the participants, the teachers, sponsors and volunteers who helped make the days such an achievement. He said their participation is what allows the Buckwaroon Landcare Group to successfully run this education program each year and a huge part of that success is owed to the children.
“The students were extremely well behaved and it’s inspiring to see the students learning outside the classroom and enjoying this opportunity,” Mr Chambers said.
Chris Higgins, Peak Gold Mine’s environment and social responsibility superintendent said it was a great achievement for the Landcare Group to reach their 10 year anniversary.
“It is so important for the children of Cobar to understand our environmental issues.
“It’s good for the kids to realise that Landcare isn’t all about planting trees and for Cobar it’s sometimes the opposite,” he said.—contributed
