Written by Xander Halverson
In my two years as a Veterinary Science student on the Wagga Wagga Campus, I have witnessed many different communities leading innovative environmental initiatives. Together, these initiatives have made this campus a more vibrant and liveable community for all who inhabit it.
As World Environment Day nears, I think it is important to reflect on what this campus’s environmental groups have achieved in the community and what they continue to strive towards in order to create a world worth living in.
CSU Sustainability
Cottages’ Gardens:
The Sustainability Team this year repurposed an unused former volleyball court for use as a functional garden and centrepiece for CSU’s Cottages. Residents have already taken to planting various vegetables and herbs in this garden, growing ingredients for meals on their own doorstep.
Desk Planters:
Each year on Market Day, the Sustainability Team allows students to create their own succulent desk plant. As students toil away studying week in and week out throughout the year, this enduring plant is a constant reminder to live life sustainably.
Dress Swap:
This event is intended not only to provide an opportunity to those who can’t afford to constantly buy new clothing, but also to encourage a conscientious attitude towards the fast fashion epidemic that creates hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste each year.
Wildlife Conservation Society
Bee Day:
Bees and other pollinators are a crucial part of so many ecosystems, with more than 75% of the world’s food being reliant on pollinators. Last year, we created bee hotels on the Wagga Wagga Campus, and this year we will be planting pollinator plants in the community garden.
Wetlands Walk:
This introductory event each year provides us with a gateway to understanding and exploring the local wildlife in Wagga Wagga while also allowing us to meet like-minded fellow conservationists.
Spotlighting:
Spotlighting is a way for us to expand our respective knowledge bases concerning the observable wildlife here in Wagga Wagga, while also allowing us to engage more actively with wildlife in their natural habitats. It is an introduction to an important method of observation and surveying, something that may be carried into the careers of aspiring conservationists.
EAGERR (Environmental Action Group Ensuring Restoration & Reconciliation)
Nesting Boxes:
In order to increase biodiversity in Box Gum Grassy Woodland areas on campus, nesting boxes were created and put together by the EAGERR team and the wider community for the squirrel gliders and other native animals. The project aimed to increase student education about biodiversity and to use cameras to observe animals using these habitats.
Breakfast with the Birds:
This was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature while being led by an expert on avians to gain valuable experience identifying local birds and learning their various calls. It was followed by a breakfast that allowed participants to meet bird enthusiasts who were a part of the local community.
Tree Planting:
We spent the day in the dirt, planting various seedlings that would eventually grow into trees. Last year, around 700 locally endemic seedlings were planted, helping to enhance the 20% of campus land set aside for biodiversity.
More to Come
While all of these events have already occurred, almost all of them happen right here in Wagga Wagga every year and are an amazing opportunity for people passionate about sustainability to engage with the environment and its restoration.
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