It's been quite a journey for Dungowan Public School, but work is finally under way to create a bush tucker garden space aimed at helping out bees.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But that's not the only eco-friendly project the school has taken on with the help of other grants, with budding young students now able to grow, compost, recycle and cook delicious school-grown produce.
Principal Kerri-Anne Hubble said the school has been transformed, with the students taking ownership of the veggie and compost beds already in action.
"The current beds are looking ugly before they look pretty, but it is really starting to come along," she said.
"Already, the students are growing and harvesting and cooking produce, and we've purchased tools, sprinklers and hoses, and compost bins, so it will be exciting to have this next stage done."
Bees and pollination are integral to our environment and the new Bee Bonus will help grow Tamworth, New England and North West Slopes students' understanding of our native habitats.
- Shane Norrish
Dungowan Public School and Woolomin Public School were the region's proud recipients of the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant in 2019.
But with chaos from COVID-19, Ms Hubble said they've only now been able to get people on site to progress construction of the beds.
The grants were given to projects focused on sustainable food production; improving waste management practices or enhancing native habitats such as vegetable gardens; recycling initiatives; native habitat enhancement; and indigenous perspectives.
Applications are open again, and Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish said the projects help to educate the younger generation about the importance of the environment.
READ ALSO
And now, there is a bee bonus.
"Bees and pollination are integral to our environment and the new Bee Bonus will help grow Tamworth, New England and North West Slopes students' understanding of our native habitats, why bees are an important part of our ecosystem and their role in fresh food production and supporting biodiversity through pollination," he said.
Up to a thousand grants are on offer for $1000 each.
Primary schools and early learning centres can also apply for a Bee Bonus, in addition to the $1,000 grant.
The Bee Bonus offers $500 of extra funding to support the conservation of Australia's bee population.
Click here to apply.
