The Year 6 pupils and their Kindergarten buddies walked to the western side of the lagoon where they planted grasses, shrubs and trees in the space where willows once grew.

The planting was another element of Bega Valley Shire Council’s Bringing NRM to Town – Bega Urban Floodplain Wetlands Restoration Project, which is funded through the Environmental Trust.

The pupils planted 540 new plants as part of the regeneration of this Bega landmark.

While they were there, they were thrilled to watch moorhen chicks in a nest and they walked back by the longer route to see if there were any cygnets visible from a nesting black swan.

Bega Valley Public and two other schools also took part in stormwater education with an informative discussion about how stormwater becomes polluted.

Children from St Patrick’s Primary School and Mumbulla School created postcards to help encourage better behaviour about litter and natural pollutants such as leaves, silt and animal droppings.

Many of the children did not realise washing a car on the street and letting water run down the drain is against the law.

They took home the important message that the drain is for rainwater only.

Businesses and residents can read more about preventing stormwater pollution through a new resource on council’s website, see > Environment & Health > Stormwater & Your Business.

Any local pollution should be reported to Bega Valley Shire Council on 6499 2222.