The recent soaking rains have been a boost for one of MLMC’s sustainability projects, with the Banjo frog garden a wonderful sanctuary for aquatic life a place for students to learn more about biodiversity.
Last August the College received a nomination in the Junior Landcare Team category for the work undertaken in creating the frog garden. The high rainfall over winter has rejuvenated the area and produced a haven for the local Banjo frogs.
Through the development of the frog garden students learnt that frogs not only require moisture and food but substantial shelter as well. As the recently introduced trees and aquatic plants mature they will provide more shade, the so the design considerations ensure that the area receives about 70% shade and 30% sun. This also enables algae to grow and the leaf litter will provide food for tadpoles in the pond.
The location of the pond, below the vineyard, has been a success, with the frogs also acting as a mosquito control measure in the area. The pond also provides erosion control as it captures and then holds water.
Mrs Cathy Pote and Mr Michael Hill were instrumental in the planning phase of the garden, while Mr Andrew Comerford and Mr Francis O’Connor regularly offered their help with some of the physical tasks in establishing the garden. VET and Agriculture and Horticulture students have also worked on the project.
The combined efforts have helped the College to complete its biodiversity module in the ResourceSmart Schools program. The free program is offered by Sustainability Victoria and it supports schools to embed sustainability across their facilities, community and curriculum, while saving resources and money.
It is planned that to provide a food source for the frogs a small solar-powered light may be installed to attract insects at night.
MLMC is committed to carrying the Landcare ethic into the future. Our SEMP plan has identified many areas of improvement within our school and the surrounding grounds. The biodiversity within the College grounds has been improved and this can be clearly seen by the images which show the investment in time, labour and passion of the whole College community in recent years.
