Students make a splash with floating island

Published on 12 September 2018

With support from Council, students from Footscray City College have made a splash in Newell’s Paddock by launching a floating island.

Modelled off floating islands found in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the device acts as a filter to help improve water quality and will also be a refuge for birdlife native to the wetlands.

The collaborative project is part of the high school’s Community Action class which aims to improve the ecological health in the local area by getting students involved in a number of local projects.

Teacher at Footscray City College, Michelle Sanders, said the class chose to adopt the local wetlands, Newell’s Paddock, as their focus area.

“Students have conducted water testing, bug identification, tree planting, weed control and litter clean up at the reserve with the support of Council and the Friends of Newell’s Paddock group,” said Ms Sanders. “The class will continue to monitor the wetlands to see the effect the island is having in the waterways,” she said.

“Feedback from the class has been very positive and they are proud to see their hard work making a difference in their local community,” said Ms Sanders.

Maribyrnong News

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