By Brendan Rees
Students from Cranbourne’s St. Peter’s College have put their green thumbs to work to celebrate National Tree Day.
Fifteen students teamed up with the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater to plant trees at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve on Saturday 26 May.
St. Peter’s College teacher Stephanie Lomas said the students worked with a sense of purpose to help rebuild habitat the area.
“Our students worked hard throughout the day to plant almost 1000 trees to help revegetate a small patch of Sedge-rich Eucalyptus camphora Swamp community and associated shrub thickets,” she said.
“This area is critical breeding habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater which is critically endangered and the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum, which is also endangered.”
The students also enjoyed a nature walk and an exciting sighting of a Wedge-tailed Eagle as well as the Helmeted Honeyeater, Ms Lomas said.
St. Peter’s College west campus deputy principal David Hansen said the students found the experience highly rewarding.
“A huge congratulations to all involved and a very special thanks to the team at Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater for supplying the trees and location for the day. The St. Peter’s College EnviroClub looks forward to participating again next year,” he said.
“We encourage all community members to look for an event near you and take part in a fun and important environmental day.”
National Tree Day is on Sunday 29 July however, events can be held at any time throughout the year.
