Hastings students get their hands muddy for mangroves
Following the success of last year’s Mangrove Mates project, OzFish recently returned to the Hastings Foreshore, once again joined by over 50 eager students from St Joseph’s Primary School. Together, they continued mangrove restoration efforts and further promoted environmental stewardship within the community.
Despite the forecast predicting temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, the students gathered eagerly under the pergola to learn the John Eddy restoration method. This technique involves securing mangrove seeds to bamboo stakes using a rubber band and zip tie, ensuring the seeds remain stable and protected until they develop a secure root system.
After a demonstration by Victorian Project Manager Andy Foudoulis and Young Leaders intern Imana Dominguez, the students participated in a discussion about the role of mangroves in their local environment. When asked what they already knew, hands shot into the air with answers ranging from “protecting fish” to “helping stop erosion.” They were already well-versed in how mangroves provide shelter and habitat for iconic species such as King George whiting, snapper, and flathead, and how their unique root systems help stabilise coastlines against storms and wave erosion. The students also learned about mangroves’ role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon as they grow, keeping it out of the atmosphere.
With their knowledge on display, the students then set to work, preparing and planting over 400 mangrove seeds along the foreshore, focusing on areas with thinning density. With “Andy from OzFish” and Imana the intern guiding them through the thick mud in their gumboots, each student carefully selected the perfect spot for their seed. The pride on their faces was unmistakable.
“It’s really great seeing the kids so interested and excited about their environment. It’s exciting knowing our next generation is already passionate about protecting these natural resources,” said Young Leaders intern Imana Dominguez.
These seeds will now go through the germination process and, hopefully, begin setting down roots. With over 400 seeds planted in just a few hours, both OzFish and the Hastings community look forward to monitoring the success of these restoration efforts and the long-term benefits of restoring this vital ecosystem.
