TREES FOR SURVIVAL

CHURCHLANDS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Trees for Survival is a sustainable, school-based environmental project that has operated for a decade and a half. The project involves students cultivating and planting salt tolerant and /or native species on farms in the Corrigin District of Western Australia. The on-going commitment to Trees for Survival reflects students’ awareness of the problems of salinity and erosion as well as their understanding of the wider context; the need to protect our environment in order to achieve ecologically sustainable agricultural production. Such agricultural production not only provides an income for the farmers who cultivate the land, but also an important food source for people living in Australian and international communities.

Trees for Survival engages the whole-school population through classroom learning, presentations on Staff Development Days and the provision of information about the project and associated environmental issues that is delivered in school assemblies and publications. Opportunities for hands-on student participation are available from Years 9 to 12.

Trees for Survival is linked to classroom learning through the Curriculum Framework, including the specific outcome statements of the Science and Society & Environment Learning Areas; and the overarching outcomes and core values of the framework. 

• Students, staff and parents in our school community are aware of the environmental issues of salinity, erosion and de forestation and the need to develop ecologically sustainable agricultural production.
• Students have learnt that, over a period of time, the individual contributions of many can bring about significant changes to the environments of three farms.
• Students have an understanding of the economic and social factors that impact on those living and working in rural environments.
• Students’ support of the project continues after leaving school.
• Enhanced learning outcomes in the Science and Society & Environment Learning Areas.
• The continuing development of working partnerships between the school and the wider community.