ENVIRONMENTAL projects by students at Glossodia Public School and Marian Catholic College in Kenthurst have earned them Junior Landcare grants of $1000.
The grants are part of the second Jemena Junior Landcare Sustainability program, designed to enhance biodiversity improvement and promote education about healthy eating.
Glossodia Public School’s project involves the setting up of four worm farms and two compost tumblers.
The worm farms, sustained by food scraps collected by the pupils, will produce waste to fertilise the school’s vegetable gardens, which in turn grows food for the school canteen.
Marian College students aim to build an aquaponics system for the growth of vegetables and fish.
The system involves feeding plants with nutrient-rich water, made possible by fish waste.
Rocks in the water bed in turn filter the liquid through bacteria multiplying on the rocks.
Students will have to regularly feed the fish, but otherwise the system is meant to function symbiotically.
It will also be solar-powered, when the school’s budget allows it.
Jemena, a company providing gas and electricity to thousands of people in eastern Australia, said its aim was to encourage innovation among young people.
‘‘We’ve been bowled over by the fantastic ideas from these ingenious youngsters,’’ a spokesman for the company, Ian Israelsohn, said.
‘‘Through these grants, we want to encourage kids as well as promote smarter use of resources.’’
Landcare Australia, which is devoted to optimal management of land and water, was also proud of its part in the program.
‘‘We are fostering an interest in looking after Australia’s crucial land and water assets, with a focus on enabling people to make a positive difference at a local level,’’ Landcare’s chief executive Tessa Jakszewicz said.
