Global Classroom
Welcome to the Streeton P.S. Global Project: Living Things Around Our Waterways
THE PLENTY RIVER
Over the years our students have been involved in studying and working to improve the nearby Plenty River.We started to collect and record our observations. We have posted these results on our web site and we'd love to compare our waterway with yours.
Close up view of the dense vegetation of the Plenty River which is located near Streeton Primary School.
The Plenty river flows into the Yarra River.
"Welcome to my home."
GLOBAL PROJECT OBSERVATIONS
Our global classroom project is focusing on "living things around our waterways". Our local waterway is the Plenty River. We invite you to learn about your local waterway, undertake some observations, submit them to us and then compare your waterway to those near other schools around the world.Click to view the results of our investigation
- BANK VEGETATION
- VERGE VEGETATION
- IN-STREAM COVER
- BANK EROSION & STABILITY
- ANIMAL LIFE
- MICROORGANISMS
- MACROORGANISMS
- ALKALINITY / SALINITY/TURBIDITY
THE PLENTY RIVER
The Plenty River starts as a drop of water in the Mt Disappointment mountains. As it flows through the Plenty River catchment area it passes through many places before meeting up with the Yarra River and finally into Port Phillip Bay.
Because of the special ecology of the Plenty River community many things live here. The river environment provides habitat for animals such as birds, insects, spiders and reptiles. This page has been put together by the students and parents of Streeton Primary School so as to get to know our local section of the Plenty River better, so we can become knowledgable guardians of the place where we live!
By investigating the Plenty River environment we know more about our local land and water, our local plants and animals, our neighbours, and some of the things that have been, what is and what could be happening in our place along the Plenty River.
This is what we found
Local Plants:
As we walked along the Plenty River we noticed the different plants that like to live close the water. They don't mind having wet feet! There are some big old Manna Gums. It is interesting to think about what this area would have looked like when these old trees were just seeds in the ground!! Manna Gums shed their ribbons in Summer and are of course an important food tree for koalas. It is an important source of manna ( sugary substance) to the Aborigines and was also used to obtain medicines and make tools. Look out for the many white flowers from January to May. We also noticed tea tree bushes, wattles and many indigenous grasses. All of these plants provide food and shelter for animals.Local Wildlife:
The Plenty River is home to many species of fauna that live on the land and in the water. Platypuses have been sighted along the section of the river. Keep an eye out before dusk or early in the morning for these amazing creatures. If you see one, let the Australian Platypus Conservancy know about your sighting. It is easy to mistake a native water rat for a platypus so look out for the distinctive V- shaped ripple.The Plenty river supports much birdlife. Be on the look out for Cormorants- these are the birds that you may catch drying their wings as they perch on a tree branch. Near the water's edge many different types of ducks rely on the riverbank for habitat. The river is used by many waterbirds as a flight path. They move between nearby wetlands and the riverbank to escape human disturbance. Many animals live and bring up their young on the Plenty River. In spring, it is a common sight to see ducklings swimming near their mother! Location To come and enjoy our section of the Plenty River in Yallambie, it is recommended to enter either from Binowee Avenue, with car parking and a toilet block, and also from Tarcoola Dve, near the Yallambie Homestead. See Melways Reference 20 K8.
How to look after the Plenty River:
To help look after the Plenty River the easiest thing you can do is to look at what you do everyday.- The stormwater that enters the Plenty River is full of rubbish that could have been avoided.
- Reduce the amount of rubbish you produce at home, work and at school.
- Buy products that have less packaging and recycle what you can. · Use a shopping bag rather than plastic bags.
- Plastic bags tend to blow away easily and end up in our river causing problems for wildlife. ·
- Don't sweep green waste, leaves down the gutter. Put them in the bin other wise they end up in our river. ·
- Train you dog to do its business at home rather than on the streets or use a pooper-scooper!
- Get Involved! Join a local conservation group such as the Friends of the Plenty or Warringal Conservation group.
Improving the Plenty River
As you walk along the Plenty River you may notice signs of revegetation works. - Weeds being removed and new plants in the earth. Each year the Banyule City Council undertakes lots of planting to re-establish indigenous vegetation to restore habitat, for the plants ongoing survival, to protect our local wildlife and to help maintain the character of our river environment. Some of these plants are Manna Gums, Spreading wattles, Austral Indigo, Tussock grasses and old man's beard. At home, we could plant local native species in our backyards too. Many of these plants have beautiful flowers and this helps encourage butterflies and birds to our gardens.Contact the Banyule Bush crew for more for information on indigenous planting on 94904358
Who looks after the Plenty River?
Warringal Conservation Society Inc.We are a local community group that is actively involved in: · Protecting native wildlife and habitats; local native vegetation; parks and reserves; significant trees and landscapes; rivers, streams and wetlands; recycling, litter prevention and energy conservation; liaising with Banyule City Council. The group has monthly meetings, outings and working bees. If you would like further information please contact Anthea Fleming (secretary) 94994642
Friends of the Plenty
We are a local conservation group that is involved in doing practical conservation work along the Lower Plenty River. We meet once a month to work on our revegetation site. In addition we have special days such as Wildflower walks, and sessions on weed identification to improve our local knowledge of flora, fauna and issues concerning waterways.
Plenty River Community StreamWatch
Plenty River Community StreamWatch is a water quality monitoring program that assists community and school groups to find out more about their local waterways and to get involved in some hands on water testing and positive action to help restore creeks and rivers. The Plenty River has several StreamWatching sites, which provide valuable information about the health of the Plenty River. Anyone with an interest in the Plenty River can join a StreamWatch group to measure water quality or take part in other activities such as Catch-A-Carp days etc!!
Melbourne Water Corporation
Melbourne Water Corporation manages the Plenty River. In recent times MWC has removed willows and stabilised banks to improve stream health. An MWC study dound that platypus inhabit sections of the Plenty River with smaller numbers occcuirng in this section of the river.
Points of Interest
The Yallambie Homestead and Paddock. The Yallambie Homestead was built around 1872-1875. The area once known as the Station Plenty has many significant trees in the lower paddock where the area is now used for recreation. Some of these trees are over 100 years old- They were planted by the early settlers in 1840.Notice the big Cypresses, the Bunya Bunya Pines, the old fruit trees and the oaks. These trees are an important part of the history of the Plenty River landscape. They are our link with the human history of the past.
