From fire to frogs

2003 bushfire damage

Orana School in Weston was badly damaged in the 2003 bushfires.

In addition to buildings and sheds that were lost, many trees had to be removed. Grounds were badly burnt, resulting in the loss of most of the vegetation and the entire ecosystem of the school was disrupted.

The school shares its 13 hectare grounds with a mob of kangaroos, which depends on its grasses for nourishment. Their needs had to be considered, too, in any future plans.

Recovery begins

Native grasses and thousands of trees were planted to stabilise the area, save any topsoil that remained and re-establish biodiversity.

As part of a post-fire recovery plan, Orana School embarked upon a water conservation plan for the entire 13 hectares.

Water harvesting

As new buildings were built, the water from down pipes was directed into 'creek beds' – specially made channels dug in the earth and lined with betonite, a canvas-like material impregnated with clay, which is used to line dams.

The channels were filled with sand, rocks and stones, giving them the appearance of a dry creek or river bed. These channels stored the water underground, minimising evaporation and allowing excess to flow into a larger subterranean dam where it could be pumped out for irrigation when needed.

Creating a veggie garden

Year 8 students, as part of their bio-dynamic gardening course, decided to develop a vegetable garden using the same 'water harvesting' techniques. They choose a warm site, just north of the High School Resource Centre.

Channels were dug, lined and filled before vegetables were planted. Little watering was needed as the water that came from the Resource Centre down pipes filled the channels and kept the plant roots moist.

The students received a 'Sustainable Cities Award' for their efforts, and many scrumptious veggies were harvested from the site.

Creating a frog bog

Year 6 students decided to create a frog bog on a dry weed-covered patch of land behind their classrooms. Land was cleared, stones and rocks removed and stored for later use and ponds or bogs were created by digging out some areas of land slightly deeper than others. Sand and rock was needed to help create the new landscape.

These bogs were covered with betonite, which when moist, creates a barrier so water does not seep further into the earth, but is available to plant and tree roots, which find their way there from the banks. A layer of rock was placed on the sand covering the betonite.

Using shrubs, large rocks and stones, the landscape was completed. The first rain was eagerly awaited and then the bog began to fill. Very soon after, frogs were discovered in their new habitat.

Today, Orana's grounds are beginning to thrive again. The areas of water harvesting are increasing as students and teachers find new projects and the kangaroos are looking decidedly healthy.

Orana School wishes to acknowledge Clearwater Environmental Design, the company that worked with the school on the water harvesting and frog bog.