A PROGRAM for young people led by the Leigh Catchment Group is aiming to connect them to the natural environment in and around Sebastopol.<\/p>\n
Officers have decided to focus on Sebastopol\u2019s Yuille Wetlands and Yarrowee River, and Magpie\u2019s Docwra Street Reserve, as part of the not-for-profit organisation\u2019s fourth Connecting Communities initiative.<\/p>\n
Environmental projects officer Bianca Fammartino said the aim is to boost biodiversity education for schools, kindergartens, tertiary students, and the broader community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re leading different activities around waterways and biodiversity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to get children involved and teach them about the things that live in the water, how they\u2019re eaten by other creatures, and that we need to keep our waterways clean.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all like a chain, and we\u2019re educating them to protect, enhance, and respect the environment near where they live, and appreciate what\u2019s around them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to be the ones looking after the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program is reaching children and young people at Bonshaw Kindergarten, the Berry Street School, Magpie Primary School, Phoenix College, and Ballarat Scouts so far.<\/p>\n
Project activities have included native indigenous plantings at Docwra Street Reserve, trips to the river, and digging out and analysing water bugs.<\/p>\n
Ms Fammartino said Connecting Communities to Sebastopol is not only beneficial to young learners, but to the Leigh Catchment Group broadly, as it attracts potential members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe facilitate nine Landcare groups within the Ballarat region, so it\u2019s an opportunity to get them some volunteers that might be able to help as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n