Geelong VCE students recently got hands on in the protection of the environment as the first participants in a new coastal environmental education program.
The enthusiastic year 12’s from North Geelong Secondary College were helping to preserve threatened coastal Moonah Woodlands as part of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s recently launched Environmental Education and Activities Program.
Principal of North Geelong Secondary College, Nicholas Adamou, said the College was proud to be the first school taking part in the program.
“North Geelong Secondary College strongly values environmental education.
“Society is increasingly facing environmental issues and we believe we should be taking the lead and getting involved.
“We fully support worthwhile programs such as this one,” said Mr Adamou.
The GORCC Education and Activities Program offers opportunities for all ages to learn about and care for coastal environments and is offered free to schools and groups.
Fran Forsyth, North Geelong Secondary College VCE outdoor education teacher said the program formed part of the school’s unit four VCE Environmental Studies and their State of the Environment topic.
“GORCC’s Environmental education program was an opportunity to learn in a practical, hands on sense, and the program fits perfectly with what we are currently studying,” said Ms. Forsyth.
“GORCC’s Environmental education program was an opportunity to learn in a practical, hand on sense, and the program fits perfectly with what we are currently studying.”
GORCC Conservation Team Officer Georgie Beale, who led the activity, said the students participated in a range of activities.
“Activities included planting, a beach cleanup, rubbish pick up along Spring Creek and site maintenance which involved the removal of old guards around the Moonah Trees.
“It was a positive experience for both the students and for us, and helped to create awareness of the work involved in managing coastal sites”
Moonah Woodlands are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998, which identifies them as a threatened ecological community and high conservation priority.
The Environmental Education and Activities Program is led by GORCC’s experienced Conservation Team, and has been set up through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.
IF your school or group is interested in getting involved, visit the GORCC website.
This article appeared in the Surf Coast Times fortnightly ‘Green the Coast’ column.
Here are some more links if you would like to learn more about the threatened Coastal Moonah Woodlands.
Learn more about Coastal Moonah Woodlands
A field guide to Coast Moonah Woodlands in Victoria
Read about other local native flora
Joint forces protect threatened woodlands
Would you be interested in participating in a GORCC Environmental Education and Activities program? Click here for more information.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 