Above: Tooradin Primary School principal Marg Scarce gets involved in some kayaking in Tooradin last week.
LOCAL school captains braved some adverse weather conditions to kayak in Tooradin and learn about how rivers and creeks work.
School captains from Tooradin, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale and Rangebank primary schools kayaked Sawtell’s inlet on 11 June and got a first-hand look at the pathway that stormwater takes from rural and urban areas through Sawtells Creek to Western Port. They spotted the engangered greenshank and royal spoonbill on their adventure, and also found polluntants such as car oil, loose soil, rubbish and lawn clippings as well as a dead seagull wrapped in fishing line.
The outing was organised by the Healthy Waterways Waterwatch program and the I Sea I Care program and sponsored by Melbourne Water and Casey council.
Melbourne Water’s manager of waterways for the south-east David Norman said the kayaking was a great way for students to learn about rivers and creeks and the importance of disposing of oil, chemicals and rubbish responsibly.
“Stormwater run-off is the main threat to the health of waterways because it picks up pollutants from streets, such as motor oil and animal droppings, and carries them into our rivers and creeks,” he said.
“It’s great to have these young leaders return to their school to remind fellow students of the importance of protecting waterways from pollution.”
