An  environmental  project  inspired  by the  children of Baldivis  Primary School
 

Baldivis Children's Forest

During 2008, Baldivis Primary School students presented the story of the forest at the two-day WA Youth  Environment Conference.  Students then hosted conference delegates at the forest on the second day of the conference with students from around the State visiting the forest and participating in student led activities including, seed propagation, worm farms, soils and Aboriginal culture. Students enjoyed a 'sustainable' lunch of kangaroo burgers and fruit platters.

After this successful conference, students were invited to bring the story of the forest to Canberra.  Two teams  presented workshops, one on the story of the Baldivis Children's Forest and the other on their involvement in water quality monitoring in the Peel District.  This was an exciting and ambitious undertaking for all involved.  The presentation will detail work undertaken since 2006 on water quality at nearby Folly Pool.

Excursion 1
A  'Catchments to Coast' excursion was held recently and Baldivis Primary students worked closely with Ribbons of Blue and the forest to monitor water quality changes along the Serpentine River.  Students followed the Serpentine River from Gooralding Brook in Jarrahdale to the Peel Inlet in Mandurah, collecting samples along the way.

Site 1 Gooralding Brook, Jarrahdale	Collecting water samples	Macro-invertebrate sampling
Testing pH and salinity	Site 2 - near the Serpentine Falls	Looking for macro-invertebrates
Site 3 - Goegrup Lake	Collecting macro-invertebrates	Checking turbidity levels
Site 4 - near the Pinjarra Road bridge	Site 5 - Bertram Road Jetty near estuary - Nutrient level testing	Site 6 - Peel Estuary

Excursion 2
To further their studies students spent another day working with Ribbons of Blue staff to monitor our local waterways of Folly Pool, Maramanup Pool and our own forest wetland Outridge Swamp.  Students also worked with volunteers from the Waterbird Conservation Group to plant sedges at Folly Pool to help with rising nutrient levels.

Catherine Johnston from Ribbons of Blue	Students looking for macroinvertebrates.	Planting at Folly Pool.

Canberra
What a resounding success.  All twenty nine children represented themselves, Baldivis Primary School and the Baldivis Children's Forest  with distinction whilst in Canberra.  Two performances by Baldivis students at the International River Health conference were well received and the opportunity for kids to teach kids was sensational, over a thousand students from around Australia and New Zealand attended the conference. The costumes, made by a parent and teachers from Baldivis Primary School drew great review. The conference was an outstanding success. After the conference we took the opportunity to show the students the sites of Canberra, visiting the War Memorial, Botanical Gardens, the National Gallery, Old Parliament House and New Parliament House.

Local Member for Brand, Mr Gary Gray, organised an audience with Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Environment Minister Peter Garrett. The children spoke passionately about their work at the Baldivis Children’s Forest and studies of the  Serpentine River with Ribbons of Blue presenting petitions to seek support for both projects from the Government. Another highlight was going to the snow fields. A special treat as the season has been closed for a month and normally the snow has melted by now. A fresh covering last week ensured heaps of fun. Many thanks go to the Principal, Teachers and Parents from Baldivis Primary School plus our own forest team. This group of adults made for an exceptional team supporting a terrific group of students. Congratulations to Mrs Hill for her foresight and persistence.

The Green Team	Firestarter Conference Attendees outside Parliament House.	Meeting with Peter Garrett.

Thank you to all the teachers, parents and staff who fundraised tirelessly throughout the year.

To get to Canberra, students sought sponsorship funding and would like to thank the following sponsors:

Students and parents also fundraised with a variety of fundraising activities including chocolates, monogrammed pens and sausage sizzle stalls at Bunnings Port Kennedy, thank you to all who supported these Students.

Useful links

www.water.wa.gov.au