Rio Tinto Earth Assist - a partnership between RioTinto and Conservation Volunteers Australia

 

What has Earth Assist been up to?

 

Mercedes College Community Service Program

This program has seen some students from Mercedes College go out to various locations and make a difference while learning more about the environment in which they live.

Some places the students went included Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre where the students did some weeding and bird feeding. The bird feeding gave the groups a chance to have a CLOSE ENCOUNTER with the black cockatoos and many of the birds found a comfortable perch on the kids' shoulders...and heads!

Another area the groups went was Redmond Stairs Reserve with the City of South Perth where the students did some hand weeding and track maintenance. The kids also got to see a Ctenotus fallens (a medium sized skink) as well as a legless lizard, Lialis burtonis. These sightings were very important for the council as the evidence against the high frequency of chemical spraying in the reserve.

The groups of students also visited the Perth Hills Eco-Education Centre run by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The students did some pond cleaning, weeding and track maintenance as well as some bushwalks including discussions about the native flora and fauna and their relationships within the the South-West forests.

On the other days, students visited the Bayview Reserve with City of Mosman Park and did some weeding and general plant identification. And also to Woodman Point to do some weeding, bushwalks, and discussions on the geographic situation of Perth on the Swan Coastal Plain.

 

School Holiday Program - December 2011/January 2012

Rio Tinto Earth Assist conducted the School Holiday Program over the December holidays for students from various schools who needed to complete community service hours, or if students wanted something interesting to do over their holidays. And interesting is what they got!

We went to Kaarakin Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre on Tuesdays, where students experienced close encounters with black cockatoos, as well as helped out with tasks such as watering, cage cleaning and pathway maintenance. The students discovered the importance of conservation for these birds. Some students even developed good contacts for future volunteering and career opportunities.

On Wednesdays, the students got to complete water testing for a variety of locations around Perth, including Bennett Brook and Alfred Cove. The results were extremely important to the councils in those areas as maintaining water quality is a high priority. Students learnt about different qualities of water and how we can determine whether our waterways are healthy or in need of attention. Students got to see the effects of feral fish in our waterways and even got to catch a few baby Carp!

Every Thursday we all drove down to Woodman Point where we had some track maintenance, weeding and bushwalks on the itinerary. The satisfaction on these days was huge and the students were amazed at the difference that their volunteering could make. The nearby parks also made for an idyllic lunch setting.

Fridays were spent at Kanyana Wildlife Centre in and around the hospital building. The students got up close and personal with Rainbow Lorikeets, Tawny Frogmouths, and the most adorable Red Kangaroo joeys! The students collected leaf litter for bedding, tidied the hospital rooms, cleaned out cages, and fed and cuddled the joeys. The students work was much appreciated.

Overall, the students had a great time and made a huge difference in these locations.  Thanks to all project partners involved, and thanks to all the students who got stuck in to make a difference in their environment.  Good on you guys!

Check out our Programs List to see what is happening in 2012...