‘The ripple effect’, Students help restore local wetland

Students are getting hands on experience in wetland restoration as part of an inspiring environmental project transforming a farm dam, as part of a Youth Take Over facilitated by North Central LLEN.

Year 11 VM students from East Loddon are being immersed in a live restoration project, following the process from planning and preparation through to revegetation, habitat creation and the eventual release of fish they have raised themselves.

The project is a collaboration between Bear & Twigg, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Barapa Barapa mob and the Wetland Revival Trust.

Running one session each week, the student program will culminate in a youth-led presentation where students will showcase what they have learned and discovered throughout the project, before releasing fish they have raised at school into the restored waterhole.

Students are working through activities that mirror the natural arc of a wetland restoration project, including environmental burning, waterhole design and landscape planning. They are also raising fish in cattle troughs at school, collecting native seed, propagating tube stock and aquatic plants, and preparing for planting and direct seeding along the riparian zone.

Habitat construction is another key component, with students learning how to install snags, rocks and leaky weirs in the waterway, as well as creating habitat pods from native rushes and lignum.

Last week, the existing dam was excavated in preparation for its environmental makeover.

Students then heard from Yorta-Yorta and Barapa-Barapa man Kai Lane, who shared his knowledge of local waterways and demonstrated how to construct fish habitat pods using lignum.

Next week, students will begin making their own habitat pods, putting their new knowledge into practice as the restoration project progresses.

The project is designed to give young people a deeper understanding of local waterways, biodiversity and the practical work involved in restoring natural environments, while connecting them with Traditional Knowledge and the landscape around them.

Bear & Twigg owners Jo and Greg have generously opened their property to the students and committed their time to giving them this immersive, hands-on experience.

Their willingness to share their farm and be part of the project is helping students see environmental restoration in action and understand the important role farmers can play in improving biodiversity and caring for the landscape.

Community members are invited to ‘The Ripple Effect’ opening on Tuesday, 15 September, at 300 Bears Road, Loddon Vale, to see the students’ work, hear about their discoveries and learn more about the wetland restoration project.