Redeveloping the ‘Butterfly Walk’

Throughout the last term at Seacliff Primary, in my role as Environmental Intern, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of students from across the year levels on redeveloping the ‘Butterfly Walk’ on the eastern side of the school. Unfortunately, necessary tree removals and time had left the area looking rather run down.

However, with the enthusiastic help of many students, staff and volunteers, the area was cleared, irrigation fitted, and new native shrubs planted to attract birds, bees and butterflies to the area. The addition of irrigation will help ensure the area establishes and is maintained into the future, whilst mulch pathing will reduce dust in summer.

Students have helped both with their physical work, and ideas and feedback, and have had the opportunity to engage with concepts of biodiversity, native vegetation, nutrient cycling and ecosystems. Some students were even lucky enough to meet the skinks calling the undergrowth home.

I hope to continue working with the school on this project and others, and look forward to engaging the students with the environment around them.

Amber Mausolf (University of Adelaide)