Students swap school books for shovels to plant native trees

Pictured left to right: Eco-warriors Ella Matthews, Harmony Wilton, Sarah Schofield and Cadyn Shelford did their bit for the environment by planting native trees alongside Bengalla Mine employees.

Students from St James Primary School put down their pens to plant around 400 native trees along Overton Road recently, thanks to support from Bengalla Mine.

It took the 50 students from years three and four two hours to achieve.

St James Primary School teacher Kim Wilson said the students showed a keen interest in the environment and had been looking forward to the day.

"The students really enjoyed getting outside and getting their hands dirty, working in teams and alongside employees from Bengalla Mine who showed them how to plant," Ms Wilson said.

"They arrived on the day in their work clothes, determined to plant the trees with great care to ensure that the area will one day be full of beautiful native trees.

"We instil strong environmental values in our students so they know they can make a real difference to the world they live in.

"Our existing programmes include a worm farm and a recycling programme.

"Activities like the tree planting day provide further opportunity to appreciate the beautiful environment we have and want to protect in the Upper Hunter Valley."

Bengalla Mine General Manager Operations Andrea Sutton said she was pleased to partner with the school to provide its students with an outdoor environmental project where they could interact and learn from staff members.

"We're proud to be a long term member of the Hunter Valley and we are pleased to work with local schools and groups in the area to contribute back to the communities where we operate," Ms Sutton said.

"The tree planting activity enabled local young people to engage with Bengalla employees, ask them questions, and learn first-hand the importance of tree planting to enhance and preserve the rich biodiversity of the region."

"The students' passion for nature and their eagerness to make a positive contribution to the environment was a real encouragement for our Bengalla employees who planted alongside them."

Pictured: Bengalla Mine Environmental Advisor Calvin Leech discusses the environmental benefits of tree planting with the students.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Naomi Jamieson (07) 3625 4159 / 0457 824 672

Students swap school books for shovels to plant native trees [PDF: 132 KB]