The Year 3 students at Our Lady of the Way Emu Plains have been learning about the effects of weathering and erosion on our local environment.

They were lucky to be invited to be part of the preservation of the Nepean River initiative by Justine Vella, Penrith Council’s Bushland Management Coordinator. Last month, the Year 3 students began their day walking along the Nepean River with Justine, observing the erosion affecting the river bank. They found examples of erosion along the River Walk and identified the strategies the council is using to preserve the area.

The students especially enjoyed examining and exploring the Leonay bank stabilisation work near Willow Way. Unfortunately, there was no sign of local resident, Wally the Wombat, who has tried very hard to remove the measures employed by council to preserve the area.

The students from O.L.O.W finished the day by planting natives near Parkland Avenue, Leonay to protect the area from further erosion. They were met by Robert and Jenny from Penrith Council, who helped them assess the safety of the area before they planted the natives on the river bank.

It was a wonderful experience for the students to be able to see examples of erosion so close to home and to identify what is being done to protect and preserve this beautiful area. The school was honoured for their students to be part of this preservation process. They would like to thank Justine Vella and her team from Penrith Council for such a rewarding opportunity.