Hands-on lessons help sow the seeds for a new generation of environmental champions

Students swapped the classroom for the great outdoors today during a hands-on lesson about urban biodiversity delivered by City of Newcastle.

Almost 100 Year 4 students from St Therese's Primary School, New Lambton pulled on their gardening gloves to plant 2,000 native ferns, flowering shrubs and grasses beneath six 100-year-old fig trees at Lambton Park, before learning about the importance of vegetation, fauna, and water health during a biodiversity "treasure hunt" for bird nests and insects along Lambton Ker-rai Creek.

The children were also encouraged to get creative with a fun art activity highlighting sustainability and the value of nature-based solutions.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to investing in and caring for our diverse natural environment.

"During the past four years, City of Newcastle has invested $7.8 million in caring for our bushland, watercourse and wetland assets through the design and delivery of on-ground habitat restoration works and community engagement programs," Cr Nelmes said.

"In addition, the City has invested $6.3 million in street and park tree replacement planting, and growing our urban forest program.

“The greening of our urban landscape has a positive impact on Newcastle and improves our community sense of wellbeing."

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk said the outdoor classroom event would help create a sense of connection between the students and the environment in which they live.

“City of Newcastle cares for a wonderful array of natural ecosystems, including 80 kilometres of creeks, 512 hectares of bushland and over 113,000 street and park trees," Cr Adamczyk said.

“These natural assets help absorb and store carbon, provide food and shelter for native wildlife, and keep our air and water clean, while also making our city a cooler, more beautiful and pleasant place to live.

"Engaging students in hands-on outdoor classroom activities is a fantastic way to increase their knowledge and passion for the local environment, leaving a legacy of expanding the urban forest and biodiversity in their local park that they can be proud of in years to come.

During the past four years, City of Newcastle has invested $7.8 million in caring for our bushland, watercourse and wetland assets through the design and delivery of on-ground habitat restoration works and community engagement programs. In addition, the City has invested $6.3 million in street and park tree replacement planting, and growing our urban forest program.

City of Newcastle is committed to becoming an International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) City with Nature, recognising and enhancing the value of our natural surrounds.