Date: 2008-03-03
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School children from 31 schools across the Geelong region will help to clean up the Barwon River and its catchment area today, as part of a campaign by Parks Victoria and Clean Up Australia to protect this important natural resource. The Clean Up The Barwon campaign is being run as part of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day activities, with students getting involved in the Schools Day today ahead of Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March.
(Media-Newswire.com) - School children from 31 schools across the Geelong region will help to clean up the Barwon River and its catchment area today, as part of a campaign by Parks Victoria and Clean Up Australia to protect this important natural resource.
The Clean Up The Barwon campaign is being run as part of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day activities, with students getting involved in the Schools Day today ahead of Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March.
Speaking at the launch of the Schools Day today in Barwon Heads, Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said that by encouraging children to care for their local environment and their water source, we can lay some important foundations to build awareness and protect the river into the future.
“Schools Clean Up Day is not just a day to pick up rubbish, it is also a day to learn about what is recyclable and reusable and how this can help the environment. So it is very pleasing to see the children here not only doing something beneficial, but learning important lessons in the process,” Mr Jennings said.
“The lower Barwon estuary and the wetlands at Lake Connewarre are some of the most significant conservation areas in Victoria and home to a diverse range of rare and threatened plants. It is also an important habitat for many birds, some of which fly to Victoria each year from as far away as Siberia, China and Japan.
“Being at the lower end of a large river system, the estuary and the nearby Barwon Bluffs Marine Sanctuary are heavily influenced by the quality of water coming down from the catchment, which includes the City of Greater Geelong.
“The litter washed down the river from upstream accumulates in pockets along the river and in the wetlands.
“Not only does it look ugly in the otherwise beautiful environment but it is a problem for the many forms of life along the river, particularly the many thousands of birds that feed and roost in the area.”
A major source of the litter that washes up in the lower Barwon and estuary is from visitors who leave fishing line, bait bags, drink and food containers and other rubbish on the banks of the river.
“It is a lot easier to prevent litter than it is to clean it up afterwards. It is important for all members of the community to do the right thing by the environment while they are out enjoying it by putting their litter in the right place,” Mr Jennings said.
“Annual events like Clean Up Australia Day provide a great opportunity for the community to participate in activities that protect and improve the environment.
“By highlighting the impacts of rubbish we can continue to live in and enjoy this magnificent environment.”