Jessica Micallef
Gisborne Secondary College students have been busy transforming an empty drainage site at the school into a creek bed.
The year 10 environmental science students have tested and analysed the microclimate of the drainage site to attract native animals and increase its biodiversity.
Environmental science teacher Marnie Sparrow said the students started the project during their last week of home learning.
“That is when they conducted the initial research,” she said.
“The students had to do some tests and site analysis to consider the microclimate of the area, look at the pH in the soil and the type of soil it was.
“Then they did a whole lot of research on flora … that would grow well in a shady, moist site.”
Students have placed pebbles and landscaping rocks and have planted native rushes and grasses at the creek bed.
“The drainage site takes the water into Bunjil Creek which … runs at the back of the school,“ Ms Sparrow said.
“The idea is that the plants provide, as well as a habitat, a filtration for the waster as it enters the creek.”
Ms Sparrow said Australian birds such as rosellas and cockatoos could be drawn to the site once the creek bed is completed.
“Also, hopefully we will start to get some invertebrates like frogs and lizards which can bring in kookaburras and larger birds,” she said.
“There will be a high range of insects hopefully. We have planted a nice diversity of plants that … multiple different birds will benefit from.
“The students have really loved the project. Especially after doing home learning where they were stuck on their computers for seven weeks.
“They are really loving the outdoors and being with each other again.“
