2 March 2009

From she oak to spinifex - students from Queens Beach State School will be pioneers in learning about coastal plant species when they take delivery of a coastal plants teaching kit on Monday.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has teamed up with Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management and Greening Australia to deliver coastal plant teaching kits to schools throughout the Burdekin Dry Tropics region.

This region covers a significant part of Queensland including Townsville, Ayr, Burdekin, Palm Island, Bowen and Magnetic Island.

GBRMPA Reef Guardian Schools Project Officer Leonie Maddigan said almost 30 schools have signed up for the program and will each receive 20 native coastal plants (or seedlings) and 30 copies of the ‘Coastal Plants of the Burdekin Dry Tropics’ booklet as a class resource.

“The schools will also receive a series of plant activities to learn about the importance of native plants and the role they play in coastal ecosystems,” she said.

“Queens Beach State School will be receiving its kit this Monday and will join staff from the GBRMPA, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, Greening Australia and the Queens Beach Action Group to plant some of the coastal natives mentioned in the booklet on the foreshore of Queens Beach.”

The 60 page booklet called ‘Coastal Plants of the Burdekin Dry Tropics’ was produced by Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM in conjunction with Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Incorporated.

Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Community Engagement Facilitator, Paul Wuth, said the booklet is colourful, user-friendly and profiles 50 species of native coastal plants that are all suitable for residential gardens.

“We encourage students and the community to help protect our delicate coastal areas by planting coastal natives in the backyard and avoiding exotic species,” he said.

Greening Australia General Manager Bob Osborne said planting natives on the beach foreshore prevented erosion and provided important animal habitat.

“Coastal plants are important for protecting the Great Barrier Reef because they stabilise beach dune systems, provide habitat for native fauna such as birds, and limit growth of weeds. 

“Coastal plants can also act as a natural filter to remove pollutants from runoff before this water enters the sea.

“Healthy coastlines and catchments help to improve the overall health of the Reef.

“If people are looking for plants suited to the Burdekin region I encourage them to contact Greening Australia’s native plant nursery in Townsville.”

The booklets are free and available from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM by phoning 4724 3544. Greening Australia’s native plant nursery can be contacted by phoning 4796 0411.