Nine Western Australian teachers will receive special awards from Ribbons of Blue this month in recognition of the outstanding work they have done with the environmental education program.

On Friday four teachers - from Perth, Kwinana, Northam and Geraldton - received their awards at the Australian Sustainable Schools end of year event in Perth which also marked the 20th anniversary of Ribbons of Blue.

Five teachers from the south-west will receive their awards on 29 October at an event to be held in Bunbury. Since 1989, the program has involved 160,000 students across the State in water quality investigations and other activities to promote the health of local creeks, rivers, wetlands and catchments.

State coordinator Richard Olive said the program was an initiative that aimed to involve the community with the environment. “Professor Peter Newman of Murdoch University developed a colleague’s idea of involving students in monitoring water quality and Coogee Primary School teacher Keith Brown was appointed as coordinator of Ribbons of Blue,” he said.

]The program, which is now coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation, became part of the Water and Rivers Commission for many years and a key factor in its success were the partnerships that underpinned its delivery across the State.

“Long-term partners, including the Department of Education, Department of Water, Swan River Trust, the South West Catchments Council and WA Plantation Resources, have enabled the program to develop,” Mr Olive said.

The following teachers received awards on Friday: Charlie Ballard of Calista Primary School, Kwinana, has involved students in the long-term monitoring of several sites over many years. His students have also undertaken activities to enhance their local waterways and projects covering sustainability issues such as biodiversity, air quality and waste.

Tonia Ranford of St Hilda’s School for Girls, Mosman Park, has started implementing many innovative ideas to connect her students with the Swan River, which is at the school’s doorstep, including water quality sampling, macroinvertebrate sampling, rubbish clean ups, and plant identification.

Cheryl O’Meara of St Joseph’s Primary School, Northam, has for many years involved her students in the stewardship of Eadine Springs, including research and the development of an interpretive walk trail.

Wendy Sekulov of Geraldton Secondary College has involved her students in river restoration and tree planting projects and over the years her students have planted tens of thousands of trees in important local projects.