A conservation area at Mount Vincent opened its gates to Year 10 science students from Newcastle High School earlier this month.
The students travelled to the conservation site managed by Cassy Anderson under agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and had a hands-on class to learn about local habitats and species from Petaurus Education Group.
“Having these kids here today to learn about protecting the environment, and knowing they are our future, it’s just so heartening,” property owner Cassy Anderson said.
“They’re going to inherit what we leave behind, so it’s nice to show them the things we’re doing to protect the place for future generations,” Mrs Anderson said.
56 students made the journey to Bow Wow Gorge, a private property boasting an impressive area of endangered rainforests, spotted gum open forests and riparian forest. The property is protected by a permanent conservation covenant with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and managed by the owners who can apply for grants under the Trust’s grant program.
Manager Private Land Conservation Programs, Cath Gallery, said the time in nature was an opportunity for children to witness what conservation looked like first-hand.
“These Year 10 students saw firsthand how landholders are actively protecting endangered species on local properties and taking that learning back into their lives,” Ms Gallery said.
“It’s incredible that landholders who are not only protecting nature on their own land are also giving kids the opportunity to connect with and see what conservation looks like close to home.”
The free, school-based program is linked to the NSW School Curriculum and includes a mix of in-class and field-based learning.
After a walk-and-talk around the property, the students learned how landholders use equipment like motion cameras and audio recorders to monitor the animals on their land, and learned how water bugs can indicate the health of a waterway. These activities expand in-class lessons completed last month, and all connecting back to the NSW school curriculum.
To find out if the primary or high school Conservation Champions program can come to your school, visit bct.nsw.gov.au/resources/school or phone 1300 992 688.