4 February 2009

East Palmerston State School has won an environmental award worth $500 to build a butterfly garden and a frog pond on their school grounds.

The ‘Ripples of Change Award’ will be given to East Palmerston State School in recognition of their efforts to look after the Great Barrier Reef as a Reef Guardian School.

Ms Karen Spannagle, Reef Guardian School Program Coordinator, is thrilled the school has been recognised with this grant.

“We will use this funding to build a new butterfly garden and a frog pond in the school grounds.  These will provide habitat for native butterfly and frog species that we hope to attract.

“The shade provided by the new garden will also enable us to cut down our energy usage which is an added bonus.”

Ms Megan Sperring from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s (GBRMPA) Reef Guardian Schools Program said she is thrilled the school will be doing such an innovative project.

“Kids just love frogs and butterflies, and this new habitat will hopefully attract several different species into the school grounds.

“It’s a great demonstration for the children of how all systems are interconnected.  Their school environment is directly linked to the Great Barrier Reef via our waterways and this project gives them an opportunity to cultivate their own little ecosystem.”

This project is one of many environmental initiatives that East Palmerston State School have implemented around their school.  Other activities the children are involved in include recycling, paper mulching and weed removal.

Phil Laycock, Regional Liaison Officer for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will present the award to Palmerston East State School and personally thank the school for their efforts on behalf of the GBRMPA for their efforts in helping to conserve the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

Presentation of this award will occur on Wednesday 4 February at 2pm.