In Term 2, 2008 Ribbons of Blue will offer a new project ‘Stormwater Snapshot' in some regions. The project focuses on water flow in school grounds. In urban settings water flow differs to natural catchments in two very important ways:
Much more surface runoff enters wetlands, creeks and rivers due to the large area of hard surfaces (e.g. roads).
Far more nutrients and pollutants enter surface water from such things as fertilisers, animal waste and fallen leaves from deciduous trees; as well as oil and petrol from cars.
The project is suited to upper primary and lower secondary classes and has several aspects to it. Students will:
estimate how much water flows through their school grounds; and what surfaces it flows over
identify what pollutants and nutrients can get in that wat
find out where that water goes
interview gardeners and cleaners to identify how their work could impact on water quality
develop actions to reduce the quantity of; and improve the quality of the water that leaves their school grounds.
For further information email the State Coordinator:
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Long-necked Turtles are common in the south-west. They breathe air and females leave the water in spring and summer to lay their eggs on land. They eat crayfish, shrimps, insects, molluscs and fish.
