Knowing how to better look after the environment around helps ensure its sustainability for generations to come.
Bearing this sentiment in mind, the work recently done by Northcliff High School’s Environmental Club is one that shows efforts towards making environmental spaces around our community better.
The club intrepidly journeyed to the Northcliff Ridge Ecopark where they spent their Saturday morning cleaning up the area. According to Colleen Rood, a teacher at the school who heads the club, the park is an iconic attraction and one of the most beautiful spots in the city which is visited daily by many people from the community and elsewhere for its natural beauty and expansive views.
” Unfortunately, some people don’t respect the place and don’t throw their litter away in one of the many bins that have been placed along the pathway. We need to keep the park clean and tidy so that we can continue to enjoy it,” she explained
For her, it is important that young people realise they need to get involved in looking after their community and that giving up a few hours of their time to do so will make them feel they are useful and can make a difference. From this experience club members gained a greater appreciation of the natural beauty of the park by coming in closer contact with plants and animals. “They also saw the need for environmental education of the public.”
On the day they collected about eight garbage bags which they filled in a short space of time. Rood shared, “There were a lot of beer bottles, bottles that had been shattered on the rocks or just thrown down the slope, a lot of disposable takeaway containers, cooldrink tins and chip packets. Cigarette butts were found everywhere.”
Previously the club cleaned up areas such as Alberts Farm Conservancy, some of the green open areas around Northcliff, found close to the school, as well as parks found in Berario.
Rood concluded to implore those who either cycle or walk in local parks to carry a plastic bag along with them as they do. “Take just a bit of time to pick up some litter. A little effort like this will go along way to keep the parks beautiful.”
