Environmental education and biodiversity improvements are continuing at Mt Burr Swamp, thanks to the support of Responsible Wood and OneFortyOne. Source: Timberbiz
Funding was obtained to continue education and biodiversity improvements.
The project was about creating a walking trail linked to Boandik culture, Indigenous use plants and bushfoods while depicting Creation stories and involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous community.
The project commenced in November 2020 and was recently completed. The aims of the project were to:
- Facilitate a cultural camp experience for year 7 students lead by local First Nations Elders and/or experts;
- Create carvings to display Boandik Creation stories;
- Coordinate contractors to make improvements to the education facility increasing suitability for holding education activities;
- Grow and plant Indigenous use and bushfoods along a trail weaving around the creation stories carvings;
- Encourage Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members to be involved during the camps experiences, trail development and planting; and
- Paint stepping stones with local flora and fauna and/or interpretation of Culture by students to line the trail.
Numerous participants attended working bees, a three-day cultural camp, day excursions, and planting days from November 2020 to June 2021.
The cultural camp saw 90 year 7 students from Tenison Woods College come out of the classroom to set up tents, throw boomerangs, listen to campfire stories, learn basket weaving, paint stepping stones of significant plants and animals, and learn about local biodiversity – with activities led by experts in their fields.
Future camps will further develop displays highlighting the restoration site, First Nations peoples’ values, and significant flora and fauna.
