Students across the Wheatbelt are being given the chance to learn more about their own backyard.
Wheatbelt NRM has funded this year’s Treemendous Trees project to the tune of $15,000.
The program is designed to give students a better appreciation of the role of trees, in both nature and as a value added product.
Jo Wheeler from Men of the Trees is running the program and said the York District High School was the eleventh school she had visited.
“By the end of July I hope to have visited 13 schools and spoken with more than 700 students,” Jo Wheeler said.
“These schools include Merredin, Narembeen and Dalwalinu.
“It’s all about raising the awareness of the importance of trees in our lives and the environment in general.
“It’s also very timely because it is the International Year of the Forest.”
Jo Wheeler said part of the program was giving students from kindy through to Year 10 a seed to plant and grow their own tree.
“The students are instantly excited about watching it grow.”
WNRM’s Kerry Skinner said the natural resource group was supporting the program through its Community Small Grants Scheme, funded through the Australian government and Caring for our Country program.
“The Treemendous Trees program introduces children to the basics of native plant propagation, which is a crucial part of natural resource management, “ Kerry Skinner said.