Newton Moore Senior High School and Southern Ports helping native wildlife bounce back

Newton Moore Senior High School students are rejuvenating neighbouring wetland around the campus to protect native wildlife after it was destroyed by fire. The wetland that runs along the school’s campus between Adam Road and Knight Street was recently impacted by a fire and is home to many forms of flora and fauna, including sedges, flowering plants, algae, fungi, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Newton Moore was one of 27 groups across the South West, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions to receive support from Southern Ports last quarter that enabled it to begin works on the land. Newton Moore SHS science head of learning area Celeste Park said the timing of the funding helped immensely to get their students out to not only learn but also help restore the area damaged by fire. “Through our wetland studies, biology and ranger programs, our students get a taste of what it’s like to be an environmental scientist and to undertake land and conservation management,” she said. “The timing couldn’t be better as part of the area had been impacted by a fire several months ago. “It’s not only our students who will benefit from the rejuvenation of the wetlands, as the food source for ringtail possums is set to increase as well as the growing habitat for the frog population.” Southern Ports regional manager Port of Bunbury Lee Smith congratulated the school on its wetland management and endeavour to create the next generation of environmental leaders. “We’re thrilled to support Newton Moore Senior High School in their commitment to ensuring this wetland is not only flourishing but also provides its students with a hands-on learning experience,” he said. “Preserving our unique South West environment is incredibly important to us at Southern Ports and it’s why we’re excited to support like-minded groups and projects like this one. “We’re always looking for new groups and programs across our regions to support, whether that be an environmental project or one that provides new community infrastructure, or a boost to education or the maritime sector.” The next round of funding in Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program is open until April 30.