Young green thumbs learn native ways

SENIOR students at Lyndhurst Secondary College got their green thumbs out when they planted a native garden last week.
Year 12 VCAL students planted a native Australian garden in their school grounds on Thursday and will nurture it for the remainder of the year as part of the Botanic Ridge Green Earth 2010 program.
Sponsored by Botanic Ridge, the students first visited the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne to discover the benefits of living sustainably and protective native vegetation, before they planted flora specimens like Correa Refelxa, Banksia Margirata and Acacia Melanoxylon.
The program aimed to promote environmental initiatives to local students.
Botanic Ridge development manager Joe Cassera said it was a great way to engage students and equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to preserve Casey’s local environment.
“It’s fantastic to see both the teachers and students alike at Lyndhurst Secondary College have welcomed our initiative and are integrating environmental education as part of their school’s VCAL curriculum,” Mr Cassera said.
“It is important to teach future generations that to preserve the local wildlife we sometimes take for granted, we need to continue to provide the native plant life they depend on in order for them to thrive.”
Lyndhurst Secondary College principal Gayle Erickson said the students had enjoyed the hands on learning experience.