The annual gathering of the region’s best student scientists has again reported a range of innovative local projects helping to protect the environment.
Primary schools gathered on Friday at the Margaret River Heart as part of Nature Conservation’s annual Our Patch celebration.
The long-running in-school program catering to Year 6 classes across the shire hosted presentations from nine classes outlining projects mixing education, research and direct action on pressing local conservation concerns.
Among the many concepts aired on the day, students focused on agricultural run-offs into local waterways; protecting native frog populations, fish and endangered species; studying bees; and also looking into the arum lily.
Some of the special touches students put on their projects included devising a puppet show performance to communicate environmental issues, developing educational booklets, and writing their own comics.
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillors and other dignitaries including Warren-Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts gave the students’ efforts their support, with shire president Julia Jean-Rice commending the “outstanding” achievements.
Mr Eatts also praised the program which involved hundreds of hours of student work.
“It’s just a great initiative, having six schools come together and raise real issues to do with the environment and conservation,” Mr Eatts said.
“Everyone involved should be extremely proud.”
Nature Conservation Our Patch officer Ellie Ward thanked those involved.
“Days like today prove what’s possible when a whole community comes together around nature and education,” she said.
The success of the program also ensured the region’s environment was in good hands in the future, Ms Ward said.
https://thewest.com.au/news/augusta-margaret-river-times/beloved-our-patch-program-unveils-student-science-work-before-captivated-crowd-c-20037097
