70 students from Virginia State School recently planted 200 trees on the bank of Downfall Creek near Brickyard Rd, Virginia.
The planting was part of the Brisbane City Council's Mountains to Mangroves Festival, 'Adopt a Creek' project.

Habitat corridor

The tree planting by the year 6 students was to help them gain an understanding of the natural environment and the importance of habitat corridors along Brisbane's waterways.
Councillor Kim Flesser told the students that he had recently met with a group of very enthusiastic year 6 Japanese students who had also decided to adopt an important environmental area near their own school.
"The future of the environment all around the World, is in the hands of our children.  Hopefully, the Virginia State School students will feel ownership of this waterway and its natural environment, for many years to come," he said.
  These plantings have become an integral part of the Council's very successful Mountains to Mangroves  celebrations.  The festival aims to engage a broad cross-section of communities in activities which highlight the environmental values of the Downfall Creek and Boondall Wetlands corridor.
10 year old Alana Fowke of Virginia, said that she liked nature and knew about the importance of natural habitat.  "I know exactly which trees I planted.  One day they might be a home for native animals," she said.
The Mountains to Mangroves Festival Family Day was held at 7^th Brigade Park Chermside.  The next festival is scheduled for July 2003.

Getting their hands dirty…Cr Kim Flesser and Virginia State School student, Alana Fowke.