YOUNG environmental warriors from Rye Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary, Sorrento had the opportunity to learn about biodiversity and environmental protection under the tutelage of Mornington Peninsula ecologist Gidja Walker OAM. More than 60 children across three sessions attended the walk and talk about the formation of the bay, and the geology of the area and how that influenced vegetation that grows there.
The Rye school’s principal Lachlan Featherstone said it had been inspiring to see the children listen intensely to what Walker was saying and ask pertinent questions. “They have certainly learnt a lot from this session”, he said. St Joseph’s principal Monica O’Shannassy, teachers, friends and Mornington Peninsula Shire staff said they too had “learnt heaps”.
The sessions were made possible through the Friends of Rye Foreshore group receiving a Coastcare grant financed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change. The money is being used to support a project to conserve and restore the biodiverse area of Whitecliffs hill and nearby foreshore.
Coordinator Mechelle Cheers said without the grant it would have taken years to remove the woody and other environmental weeds. Accelerating the weed removal meant indigenous species – including moonah and banksia trees, bearded heath, orchids and thyme rice-flower – could germinate and repopulate the area. The shire’s natural systems department and Naturelinks had also provided support. Cheers said it was intended that the site would become an education and cultural heritage precinct. “The 60 plus children who attended the sessions is the start of making that happen,” she said.
The Friends of Rye Foreshore group is having a working bee and recruitment session on Rye foreshore (opposite Steam Restaurant) on Wednesday 15 May from 9.30am to midday. All welcome. Inquiries at 3941rcga@gmail.com
First published in the Mornington News – 7th May 2024
