Students get hands-on with the Pilbara environment

07 October 2009

During September, students in the Pilbara planted waterwise gardens, went beachcombing, studied mangrove eco-systems, identified turtle/ whale species and enjoyed the “great outdoors” as participants in the Rio Tinto Earth Assist programme.

Packed to the brim with gardening gloves, shovels and wheelbarrows the Conservation Volunteers Australia bus headed for the sunny north, to undertake three weeks of hands-on volunteering, with students in Tom Price, Karratha, Newman and Port Hedland.

Targeting year 10 students and linking strongly with school curriculum, Rio Tinto Earth Assist aims to both educate and engage students in their local environment and community.

In Wickham the Earth Assist team worked alongside Karratha Senior High School and St Lukes College students to plant a water wise garden at the Wickham State Emergency Services building. 

Over two days the garden was transformed as the students pulled weeds, planted water-wise plants, mulched and installed reticulation.  Plants were supplied by Rio Tinto and local businesses donated rocks, sand and mulch.

Superintendent communities and partnerships Janette Tuttle said ‘This project has transformed a sad, tired and dusty are into a garden perfectly suited for the dedicated SES volunteers who are now free to spend their time on what they are great at – attending to emergency issues in our communities.”

Students from Karratha also took part in beachcombing and a mangrove clean up at Wickham beaches, while Hedland Senior High School students took a closer look at the ecosystem at popular Pretty Pool.  All up around 100 students took part in Earth Assist activities over the three weeks.

The Rio Tinto Earth Assist programme was launched in May 2009. The premise behind its creation was through introducing students to conservation sites, and providing them basic information on how to improve and nurture these areas, a sense of ownership will continue after the project is completed.

The programme, delivered in collaboration with Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department for Education and Training will return to the Pilbara in Term 2 2010.

During the final term of 2009, students in the South West will have their first opportunity to jump on the CVA bus and be involved the exciting array of Earth Assist projects.