Award will aid school project

Press, 26 November 1981, Page 1

Award will aid school project

Spotting the recipient of the first Mobil Environmental Grant was not difficult at Christchurch Airport yesterday. He was the man with the wooden trunk. . The principal of Hokitika’s Westland High School, Mr Rodney Browning, was passing . through Christchurch after receiving the grant, and the kauri-trunk trophy.

on behalf of the school from the Minister for the Environment (Dr Shearer) in Wellington. Westland has been awarded the §2OOO grant to fund a project already started by its senior pupils. Mr Browning said the grant had existed since 1979, but Westland’s project was

the first Mobil had judged worthy enough to receive it. Last year the school bought eight hectares of land covered with gorse “two metres high.” Since then pupils have worked clearing, draining, and planting the land in a variety of timber. "It is a project to teach them the importance of sens-

ible handling of their environment." Mr Browning said. Each term, a little more of the land is cleared, and different species of trees are planted under different conditions. "The purpose is to show the children how different trees fare in different soil.

light, and moisture conditions." he said. Senior pupils could choose to take part in the project as part of their elective programme. Mr Browning said money from the grant would be used to pay for hiring heavy machinery. which was needed to clear and drain parts of the block.