Kempsey High kicked-off a new Youth Community Greening initiative on Monday, August 21.
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The school was visited by representatives of the Youth Community Greening Program, who were at the school to assess suitable sites and plan the creation of habitat gardens on the school's grounds.
These are gardens that are specifically designed to attract, foster and support Australian wildlife and endangered species.
The gardening experts from Youth Community Greening will then meet with local landscaping practices, and return later in the year to work with students to construct the gardens and impart knowledge.
Head Teacher Special Education Sue Carmody said the school would incorporate the program into an already existing course, which teaches children about growing vegetables and native plants.
"It will add another dimension to our already existing program," Mrs Carmady said.
"A lot of the children are interested in native animals and learning about sustainability."
Mrs Carmady said the school had chosen native bees to be the native animal it will build a habitat for.
"The kids are fascinated by native bees," Mrs Carmady said.
"Without bees and the pollination they perform we would be without many vegetable varieties."
Mrs Carmady said the school was hoping to start a worm farm, compost and put in some aquaponics.
Youth Community Greening is a program that assists disadvantaged young people through helping to create productive school and community gardens, and green landscapes.
Youth Community Greening coordinator Peter Dawe said he wanted to draw attention to the fact Australia doesn't have the best record conserving its native flor and fauna.
"We're going to focus on the habitat," Mr Dawe said.
"We're going to draw attention to that habitat by focussing on specific endangered species native to this local area.
"When I talk to children in Sydney, they have no idea how many threatened species Australia has.
"They highlight tigers, pandas and foreign animals, but not necessarily native species."
The Botanic Gardens Trust has a commitment to take its expertise 'beyond the garden walls' and serve the broader community thropugh the Community Greening Program.
The program aims to improve health and community resilience, green and renew the urban environment, increase gardening and employment opportunities, promote recycling and sustainable lifestyles, increase community ownership of public spaces, help communities in need and encourage people to value the natural environment.
Significant research has demonstrated the clear correlation between green spaces and well being.
Gardening is about communication, relationships, routines and life enrichment.
Regular involvement in gardening, community food growing or horticultural therapy contributes greatly to strong social cohesion.
Mr Dawe said the program has been able to expand its reach to regional areas thanks to being awarded the John T Reid Charitable Trusts Grant.