Melbourne Water and Junior Landcare
 Since 2003, Melbourne Water has provided schools and groups in the
Greater Port Phillip and Westernport region of Victoria with Young
Watercare Grants through the Junior Landcare Grants Scheme. Schools can use the funds to restore or maintain waterways in their local area through activities like water testing, reducing litter, water bug surveys, tree planting or protecting native flora and fauna. More information about the Melbourne Water Young Watercare Grants here. |
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Grant round closing dates
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Case Studies
Caroline
Chisholm Catholic College located in Braybrook undertook the task of
assisting Melbourne Water and the Environmental Protection Authority
(EPA) to isolate point sources of pollution and track pollution events.
By undertaking such a task the school requested funding for the
purchase of a chem water test kit and macro invertebrate monitoring
kit. The data collected was used to assist in gaining base-line data
in determining the health of Kororoit Creek and Jones Creek. The
project was tied into the schools Year 11 Chemistry course. The
students were also given the opportunity to engage with existing
community groups that also carryout regularly water testing along these
creeks. The school has shown great commitment to water conservation
incentives by installing water tanks to recycle storm water. Lyndale PrimaryLyndale
Primary is located in Dandenong North, and requested funding to
undertake water monitoring at their nearby creek as well as riparian
planting. The planting was undertaken in conjunction with Greater
Dandenong Environment Council Bushland crew and Dandenong Rotary Club.
The students also visited a number of wetlands on a monthly basis, to
understand how wetlands work and why they are so important. The work
carried out by this school created great benefits for the local
environment. Community relationships were strengthened and in some
cases, new ones created. Additionally student awareness of their
local environment and the issues facing it were increased, and the
outcome meant a higher participation of not only students but their
families in monitoring and protecting of their local waterways. Williamstown North Primary School has a strong commitment in looking after their local wetland –Paisley Challis wetland.
This is evident in their involvement with the site over the past three
years, with the planting of native plants, bird watching, rubbish
collecting, bug watching and identification. The Melbourne Water Young
Watercare Grant enabled them to continue this work, in particularly
picking up rubbish, identification water bugs and planting riparian
species. The children were also able to observe the high number of
wetland birds visiting and residing at the wetland, through the use of
binoculars as part of their grant. Inturn, learning how to identify
bird species enabled students to appreciate the different types of
birds that rely on wetlands for many reasons, such as for a food
resource and a breeding ground. The schools aim is to continue their
involvement in wetland conservation, and are driven to ensure that
their local wetland will be protected for future generations to enjoy. |
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