Waterways Learning Outside of the Classroom

PHCC’s Katy Montgomery with Liam Cull (our workplacement student from Mandurah Catholic College) and Year 3 students from Greenfields Primary School learning about macroinvertebrates in wetlands and rivers.

by Katy Montgomery

Students and teachers from Greenfields Primary School had the opportunity to learn more about the environmental and cultural values of our rivers, lakes and wetlands. PHCC staff and Traditional Owner, George Walley, led three excursions that took place over the last 4 weeks.

The first excursion was with the teachers from Greenfields Primary School. They were taken to various locations along the Murray River and Peel-Harvey Estuary. George Walley, a Traditional Owner, reinforced the cultural values of the land and then Steve Fisher along with Jesse Rowley discussed the significant environmental value of our waterways. The day out for the teachers helped to reinforce the importance of learning outside of the classroom.

The next excursions were for Year 1 students and then Year 3 students from Greenfields Primary School who learnt all about the environmental and cultural values of our waterways using a ‘hands on’ approach. The students got to have a go at identifying macroinvertebrates in both wetlands water and river water from the Serpentine River. Students also got a close-up demonstration of our water catchment and the different roles of our Ramsar 482 wetlands and rivers. The excursions ended with a walk along the boardwalk at Lake Goegrup with George Walley and Steve Fisher explaining the birdlife, cultural significance and environmental importance.

Overall, over 35 staff and over 100 students participated in the excursions and it was a fantastic opportunity for all to learn something new about our waterways and how we can care for them better.

Photo 1: George Walley, Steve Fisher and Year 3 students from Greenfields Primary School on the boardwalk at Lake Goegrup talking about the cultural and environmental importance of lakes in our catchment

Photo 2: Year 1 students from Greenfields Primary School looking through a tray of water from the Serpentine River for macroinvertebrates

Photo 3: George Walley and Steve Fisher talking to teachers from Greenfields Primary School about the environmental and cultural values of our waterways.

Photo 4: Foreshore vegetation at Lake Goegrup

These activities are supported by the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council’s through funding from the the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and Alcoa Foundation’s ‘Three Rivers One Estuary Initiative’