The next wave of young Deni conservationists is being introduced to the long running project to improve Deniliquin’s lagoons system.
Involvement in the project is offered to Year 10 students at Deniliquin High School, who work hand-in-hand with the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group to care for and maintain the wetlands which run through the centre of the town.
This week, Year 9 students accompanied the 2023 program participants for the weekly program.
Teacher Allana Moorse said it was an introductory session, designed to give the students a “taster” and determine whether they want to sign up to the program next year.
Mrs Moorse said by stroke of luck, they all got to witness something very special during Wednesday’s session.
Sampling on the day showed, for the first time, that the purple spotted gudgeon released into the lagoons are thriving.
“We caught our first fish the next size up, which shows us they are breeding in the lagoon,” she said.
“It has also been exciting to see herons nesting at the lagoons over the last two years.
“The students this week started working on clearing out the cumbungi, and will soon start removing the purple growth on top of the lagoons.
“It has been exciting to see all the changes, and it’s been important to show the students that they’re not just providing labour they are learning something along the way too.”