Local students join forces for a greener future

Muswellbrook Public School students will be getting their hands dirty tomorrow (Friday, 27 June), planting trees to help the environment and learn about conservation.

The Year Five students will team up with Bengalla Mine and Conservation Volunteers Australia to plant 600 native trees on Bengalla owned land.

Andrea Sutton, Bengalla Mine General Manager Operations, said the school students, the mine and the environment would benefit from the tree planting.

"Since 1999 our mine has planted more than 58,000 trees near our mine workings and in the catchment of the Hunter River," Ms Sutton said.

"Local schools have been an important part of the programme and have taken an active role in planting native species.

"It not only helps to screen the operation, but it provides a seed bank for future plantings and provides additional habitat for local fauna."

Muswellbrook Public School principal John Fibbins said the students had been learning about the importance of conservation and would now have the chance to put their lessons into practice.

"This is an opportunity for them to see first-hand the importance of native trees in preserving biodiversity and providing wildlife corridors," John said.

"We have worked with Bengalla Mine for a number of years on this project; the students always enjoy it and they get a sense of satisfaction knowing that together they can make a practical contribution to the environment."

In 2007 Coal & Allied three mines in the region progressively rehabilitated 183 hectares of land.

Also in 2007 Bengalla Mine completed a weed control and revegetation programme along 16 kilometres of the Hunter River and planted 3000 seedlings.

The mine is working towards restoring with native vegetation the riparian zone along the Hunter River.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Nathan Scholz
07 3361 4354 / 0417 613 174

Media Release - Local students join forces for a greener future [PDF: 22 KB]