GREEN THUMBS FROM LOCAL SCHOOL PLANT 500 TREES
28 July 2005
Students from Meadowglen Primary School today planted about 500 trees in the lead up to National Tree Day (31 July).
The tree planting along Hendersons Creek in Epping was made possible thanks to $1290 funding under the Melbourne Water Young Watercare Grants program.
The three-year, $150,000 program has seen funding go to about 90 schools for projects to help protect and improve Melbourne's rivers, creeks and wetlands.
Melbourne Water Managing Director Rob Skinner said some 29 schools across Melbourne had received funding for projects under the final round of grants.
"The program is aimed at encouraging young people to value Melbourne's water resources and to protect the environment," Mr Skinner said.
"The work of these student volunteers is invaluable in helping to care for our local environment."
He said Meadowglen Primary School had received funding to plant native trees along the creek, which would lead to an improvement in the health of the creek and provide valuable habitat for local wildlife.
Melbourne Water and Landcare Australia are partners in the Young Watercare Grants program, which is part of the wider Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants Program.
Landcare Australia Chief Executive, Brian Scarsbrick, said the Melbourne Water Young Watercare Grants would help to develop an environmental ethic amongst thousands of young Australians, especially in regards to our precious water resources.
Every year Melbourne Water commits more than $23 million in projects to protect our rivers and creeks including education and community programs.