WARWICK school children learned valuable lessons as they recently planted trees in the riparian zone along the Condamine River.
The Central State School kids participated in Enrich, a biodiversity project implemented by the Condamine Alliance.
According to Condamine Alliance manager for rivers, Kevin Graham, tree plantings were all about helping students understand the importance of healthy vegetation for a healthy river system and they were keen to learn.
“The trees will give lots of animals homes and it gives us more food and clean air,” Elouise Close-Bond, 11, said.
“Trees make fresh air and it’s good for our rivers and possums and birds and koalas,” added Caitlin Brown, also 11.
Mr Graham said was wonderful to see the students helping each other to plant new trees along the river.
“It is due to their enthusiasm and hard work that we have planted 500 trees in Warwick so far,” he said.
“Once they understand the vital role that trees play along the river they are so eager to don their gloves and get involved.”
Fisheries scientist Greg Ringwood said fish in inland rivers depended on riverbank trees for up to 90 per cent of their food.
“Plantings like this are really important to the health of the river and of fish stocks,” he said.
Southern Downs Regional Council mayor Peter Blundell assisted the children as they carefully planted the trees.
By the end of the week more than 200 students from four schools will have planted 760 trees across four separate locations.
