Agriculture
28 May, 2026
Students plant for green future
RECENT rain across the district created perfect planting conditions for students from East Loddon P-12 College last week as they took part in a major revegetation project at Fiery Flat.
RECENT rain across the district created perfect planting conditions for students from East Loddon P-12 College last week as they took part in a major revegetation project at Fiery Flat.
A total of 33 students spent the day planting 700 trees as part of an environmental initiative aimed at improving local habitat, encouraging biodiversity and helping restore sections of the natural landscape.
The project was made possible through funding from North Central Catchment Management Authority and was held in conjunction with Loddon Plains Landcare Network.
The group worked across the Fiery Flat site throughout the day, with the recent rainfall providing ideal soil moisture conditions for the young trees to establish.
Teacher Phil Kidman said the students embraced the opportunity to be involved in the project and worked extremely well throughout the day.
“The conditions were absolutely ideal after the recent rain and the students really enjoyed getting out into the environment and contributing to something positive for the local area,” he said.
“It was fantastic to see the students working together, getting their hands dirty and learning more about the importance of revegetation and caring for the land.”
Students enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves and planted a variety of native species, learning valuable lessons about sustainability, conservation and the importance of protecting the local environment.
Mr Kidman said projects like the Fiery Flat planting day provided important hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom.
“A lot of the students may drive past areas like this every day without realising the work that goes into restoring and protecting these environments,” he said.
“This gives them a real connection to the landscape and hopefully encourages them to think about the role they can play in looking after the environment into the future.”
Mr Kidman said the atmosphere on the trip home highlighted just how much the students had enjoyed the experience.
“The chatter on the bus on the way home showed the students had a great day and really got a lot out of it,” he said.
The planting project formed part of the school’s ongoing focus on environmental awareness and community involvement, with students able to see firsthand the impact revegetation projects can have on local ecosystems.
In addition to improving the appearance of the area, the trees are expected to provide long-term environmental benefits, including reducing erosion, improving soil health and creating important habitat corridors for native birds and wildlife.
Despite the physical nature of the task, spirits remained high throughout the day, with plenty of laughs shared as students embraced the opportunity to spend time outdoors and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
Will Sanson from Loddon Plains Landcare Network praised the efforts of the students and the success of the project.
“Seven hundred trees is a fantastic effort and it’s something that will leave a lasting legacy for the Fiery Flat area for many years to come,” he said.
Read More: Fiery Flat