MORE than 20 students from Unity College, Caloundra, jumped at the chance to help out the endangered Wallum Sedge frog as part of World Wetlands Day 2015.
The students, from Years 8 to 12, helped plant 900 seedlings at a newly created pond habitat where the vulnerable and nationally protected frog had been spotted.
They travelled with members of the Bells Creek Green Army and other community groups to the 50-hectare “Little Italy” site, named because of its distinctive shape resembling the famous ‘boot’ of Italy.
Year 10 student Oliver Scully said it was an awesome to know that they were giving something back to the environment.
“There’s heaps of development going on around here and it’s nice to give the other animals, especially frogs and birds, a chance,” he said.
World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the international treaty at Ramsar, Iran in 1971 to appreciate and protect wetland ecosystems.
The project, coordinated by SEQ Catchments Ltd under the Caloundra South Community Stewardship program, was the first of a series of community-led rehabilitation and conservation projects at Caloundra South to take place over the next four years.
The stewardship program was developed by Stockland, the Sunshine Coast Council, Bells Creek Green Army and environmental community organisations to identify and optimise community land care opportunities within Caloundra South.
Stockland senior development manager Mark Stephens said he was delighted by the enthusiasm of the students and the community groups who planted a range of native species.
“It’s great to see such positive engagement and support from the local school and community-based environmental groups who want to be involved in creating frog habitat and connectivity for the site’s Wallum Sedge frog populations,” Mr Stephens said.
SEQ Catchments community partnerships manager Susie Chapman said planting the seedlings would benefit important wetlands near the site.
“Moreton Bay, including Pumicestone Passage downstream of Caoundra South, has been listed as significant Ramsar wetland,’’ Ms Chapman said.
“With this year’s Wetlands for the Future theme, it is essential we appreciate the need to protect and enhance our wetland communities for the future, for they contribute to our health and wellbeing as well as that of the many species that inhabit them.”
