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CANADIAN CREEK SCHOOL/COMMUNITY REVEGETATION PROJECT

Green Line

Green square THE PRESENT ...

We have finally achieved our goal of creating a pleasant outdoor classroom for experiencing nature and for practical learning. In February 1996 one hundred Year 3/4 students walked to the creek for a picnic. They did a little tree maintenance and weeding but the hard yakka had been done and for the first time they spent most of the day doing outdoor maths, environmental science observations and ponding. The children enjoyed a picnic lunch in the shade of their trees! In 1997 the main activity was planting native grasses and sedges along the creek banks. These plants provide good ground cover and require less maintenance than European grasses and weeds.

Planting

Green square  1990 ...

When the children crossed the bridge on their way to the secondary college theatre and peeped over the side into the gully, it was "Oh Yuk!" when they saw the desolation and rubbish. Degradation caused by alluvial goldmining last century had left a wasteland of gorse and blackberry, made worse by the habits of throw-away consumers.

Green square  NOW ...

As the children cross the bridge or look down from the school site on the hill they can see the results of their efforts - hundreds of sturdy young trees growing along the creek banks and no rubbish!

Ducks

Green square    An estimated 2280 children and adults have participated in planting events. The Canadian Creek Environmental Action Project has created opportunities for community participation in the planning, development and management of an urban bushland park. On Friday 16th August 1996 three pairs of Wood ducks were seen at Canadian Creek, evidence of improved habitat for wildlife. Japanese Snipe visit each year.

Planting team

Planting team

PLANTING EVENTS

* OCT 1997 Native grasses and sedges

* JUN 1996 ATCV working bee - 400

* MAY 1995 School ground planting - 150

* JUL 1994 Save the Koala Week - 200

* OCT 1993 Ballarat Uni Planting - 134
* SEP 1993 Spring Planting Festival - 90
* MAY 1993 Arbor Week - 276

* SEP 1992 Spring Planting Festival - 50
* JUN 1992 The Premier's Visit - 1
* MAY 1992 Arbor Week - 320

* NOV 1991 Whole School Planting Day - 400
* SEP 1991 Spring Planting Festival - 80
* APR 1991 Arbor Week - 200

* TOTAL TREES PLANTED : 2301

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Interest and involvement have been fostered by:

Blue dot utilising the knowledge and technical expertise of DNRE and special interest groups such as ATCV, Friends of Yarrowee, Field Naturalists Club and the Society for Growing Australian Plants

 launching the project with a community barbecue

Blue dot involving the residents in the immediate neighbourhood

Blue dot encouraging the children and their families to contribute their ideas and opinions

Blue dot liaising with Mount Clear Secondary College staff and students

Blue dot consulting with the science staff at the University of Ballarat

Blue dot co-operating with public authorities such as the Ballarat Regional Board for Planning and Development, local government and the Rural Water Corporation

Blue dot arranging for photographic and video records

Blue dot enlisting the talent of a local artist to enhance the presentation of documents

Blue dot exhibiting plans for public comment at Midvale Shopping Centre

Blue dot publicising the project through the local print and television media

Blue dot issuing open invitations to community planting days

Blue dot participating in Clean Up Australia Day activities, Greening Australia Spring Planting Festivals and other public campaigns

Blue dot displaying children's environmental education work in public places such as the Shire offices, the Ballarat Community Education Centre, ATCV Headquarters and the Ballarat Begonia Festival

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Created : 10 October 1996
Last Modified : 22 July 2002 (no longer updated)
Email : jburrell@ncable.net.au
URL : http://users.ncable.net.au/~jburrell/env/ccreek.html