Good Shepherd Lutheran students are getting a hands-on experience at Noosa River restoration efforts, thanks to a unique collaboration between The Noosa Environmental Education Hub (Noosa EEHub) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

Over the past few weeks, Year 11 and 12 marine science students have learnt about work being undertaken by TNC and partners on the Noosa River Oyster Restoration Project. Through educational resources developed by EEHub that Good Shepherd Lutheran has incorporated into its curriculum, they are learning about river ecosystems and Traditional river management by Aunty Bev Hand, Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian and Noosa EEHub Aboriginal Educator.

With guidance from the Hub, the school is adopting its local waterway, improving riparian health and conducting ongoing waterbug analysis for citizen science purposes. The students will collaborate with the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association’s Oyster Gardening Project which will endeavour to grow oyster spat in baskets suspended in the Noosa River to supplement the newly established reefs. Restoring oyster ecosystems is a critical project on the road to reviving the health of the Noosa River system.

Students will also undertake hypothesis testing of the impacts on oyster growth in controlled lab environments as well as learn about species identification and other assessment techniques of the Noosa River.

Year 11 and 12 students said they were enjoying working on real-life projects that gave life to their curriculum while giving back to community.

Providing students with hands-on opportunities to learn essential curriculum has been a goal of EEHub and TNC over the past couple of years. For example, through the Noosa EEHub Bushfire Recovery curriculum, students undertake transect studies of the Peregian Beach bushfire site, learn about Traditional and current fire management practices, and restore sites via weeding and planting.

Noosa EEhub will continue to develop curriculum programs that support the restoration of the Noosa River in collaboration with local river management groups. This education program is funded with thanks from The Thomas Foundation, Noosa Shire Council and TNC.