Students of Conargo public School reading some of their poetry to those that attend the presentation morning.
A program which has improved the environment in Conargo and developed environmental champions of the next generation was celebrated in Conargo earlier this week.
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Conargo Public School was joined by project partners and supporters to celebrate the completion of the Ruby Saltbush Project with a presentation morning on Monday.
The school was awarded a $16,000 Sustainable School Grant by the Petaurus Education Group, which allowed students to learn more about the biodiversity of their local area.
The focus of the project was on the Ruby Saltbush plant, and the students learned how to grow and nurture it.
They collected and propagated Ruby Saltbush seeds which, once established, were planted at the southern entrance Conargo sign.
More will be planted at the northern entrance and behind the school.
Students also built native bee hotels and lizard lounges, with native blue banded bees already taking up residence in some.
An immersive education experience, the students also engaged in theoretical work.
They learned about the Ruby Saltbush plant, created artworks of native animals and the local environment, and wrote poetry to complement the projecT.
Through the experience, they gained valuable knowledge about the importance of plant conservation and sustainability, all with the help of their teachers, members of the Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council and members of the Petaurus Education Group.
YACTAC project officer Andrea Mitchell said the entire project was a “beautiful collaboration of education.”
“It’s absolutely mind blowing to me how much these students were able to pick up on and how they were able to get this all done in just a year.
“These students should be extremely proud of themselves, as the plants they grew have not only been used for their project but have been used around signs in the local area; they have helped bring some life back into their community.”
To commemorate the excellent work done by the students, the school decided to compile all the details into a book.
It contains information about the project and the significance of the Ruby Saltbush plant, detailed descriptions of the students’ journey during their project, and a method list so that students can continue these projects at home and teach others in the community.
The Conargo School community has helped to bring back the rare Ruby Saltbush.
The Ruby Saltbush plant has been a focus of a sustainability project at Conargo.
The Ruby Saltbush Project journey has been immortalised in a keepsake book.
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