High school students hit the banks of Harvey River to take part in major conservation project

High school students swapped the classroom for freshwater crayfish last month, dipping their hands into a major conservation project in the Harvey River system.

Nine fish hotels were submerged into the Harvey River on April 22, with the goal of increasing vital habitat to the numerous species that live in the waterway.

On the Friday before the installation, Year 7 students from Harvey Senior High School were at the riverbank learning about the native species likely to visit the hotels in coming years.

The project is part of the Harvey River Restoration Taskforce’s initiative aiming to improve the waterway for in the Harvey Catchment and invite previously evicted natives back into the waterway.

HSHS principal David Gault said students were given an in-depth exploration of the native animals that are likely to benefit from the project.

Students learned about the history of the region and the drastic changes in ecology which have occurred in the system from the Water Corporation’s Kylie Olney.

Afterwards, students were able to interact with river experts from Murdoch University, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, and OzFish Unlimited.

Mr Gault said students were taught how sticks and twigs act as vital habitat for smaller fish and invertebrates living in the waterway from experts across the field.