STUDENTS at Armidale City Public School are doing their bit to protect wildlife habitat in the Northern Tablelands through a $2500 donation to Citizens’ Wildlife Corridors.
The funds came from the $5000 they won for a short film on woodsmoke pollution in the environmental section of this year’s New England Mutual video challenge.
A condition of the MAD (Make a Difference) at Heart Community Challenge was to share their winnings with either the subject of their film or a local environmental group.
“They chose Citizens’ Wildlife Corridors because of their wonderful work they do in our region,” school principal Cherrie Paterson said.
“Making the film was a great experience for the kids. They got a lot out of it and it created community-mindedness and a greater awareness of their environment.”
Teacher Maria Russell said the students had undertaken a lot of research, working with Carol Davies, the sustainability co-ordinator at Armidale Dumaresq Council.
“They asked a lot of questions, put together scripts, video footage and original music to go with the documentary,” Ms Russell said.
“It was an excellent way for them to become involved in their community and work closely with local organisations.
“I am extremely proud of their efforts and the time that the class put into compiling the information as well as the many ’takes’ of voice overs and filming that we had to do.”
Ms Russell said the students were keen to enter the challenge next year because they enjoyed the experience, particularly having a voice for change in their community.
ACPS will spend the remaining $2500 prizemoney on new iPads for the school and CWC will put its share into continuing its work on wildlife corridors.
CWC began more than 20 years ago to protect the remaining habitat and link it all up with built wildlife corridors on members’ properties.
It has no boundaries and stretches from Stanthorpe in Queensland to 300 kilometres south of Tamworth and from the escarpment in the east to about 150km west to Inverell and Manilla.
Members have planted more than 91,000 native trees and shrubs.
