Seymour College student Ilaria Faulknor developed a conservation strategy during her time at The Alpine School for Student Leadership.
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A Seymour College student is leading a movement of environmental conservation.
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Year 9 Ilaria Faulknor spent the first school term this year at the Don Valley Campus of The Alpine School for Student Leadership.
The school is a space of experimental education, which promotes and supports the self development of students attending.
“Within everyone who went there, there’s a lot of personal growth,” Ilaria said.
“There’s a lot of learning.
“I definitely recommend it.”
During the nine weeks, Ilaria’s day-to-day at the school would consist of activities such as kayaking, environmental land management, creek and cave exploration and mountain bike riding.
The experience of living away from home also allowed for the boosting of independence, with students having to manage their living and dining areas.
Throughout the nine weeks, those attending developed a community learning project.
Where many other students took on the project in groups of four to six, Ilaria worked independently to design nesting boxes for the endangered population of southern greater gliders in the region.
Under the guidance of Seymour College’s woodwork teacher, Terry Griffith, Ilaria created the boxes after extensive research on the gliders’ habitat.
The initiative is for Year 9 students from schools across the state, and teaches them valuable skills to develop their independence.
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“When I was researching, I found the squirrel gliders were an endangered species in this area, and I thought that they were really cute,” Ilaria said.
“I’d never heard of them before, but when I did some research I thought that would be a project that I was interested in.
“I think in fourth term, a class at the school is going to make them, which will make about 18.”
Once the boxes have been built, Ilaria said there were plans to place them around the Seymour area.
Ilaria has also been in contact with BEAM Mitchell Environment Group to discuss where the best locations for the boxes might be.
Seymour College has congratulated Ilaria on her efforts and initiative displayed throughout the program.
“We are incredibly proud of Ilaria’s achievements and growth, and her commitment to environmental conservation, our community and the protection of wildlife,” a spokesperson from the school said.
“Ilaria’s dedication and hard work left such a strong impression on the School for Student Leadership Program that they have allocated additional placements for Seymour College students to participate next year.”
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