The Community Services endorsed course applied for and received a grant of $500 through the Planet Ark Seedling Bank. Our project was to plant a native bird-attracting garden at CJ, to provide a safe habitat and food source for native birds like pink & grey galahs and to showcase our beautiful native, water-wise plants for students and teachers to enjoy.

We completed the planting last week and we welcomed IEC students and teachers the next day with home-made orange cake and a tour.  It was a really wonderful experience for everyone involved from learning about:

• • • • • • • • • the grant application process
                • what National Tree Day is and Planet Ark
                • benefits of trees to people & the planet
                • benefits of water-wise natives
                • selecting natives
                • how to attract birds into a garden
                • types of native birds
                • measuring and designing a garden
                • how to plant native seedlings

Special thanks to Craig, our gardener for his expertise and Belinda for her support with the project.