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By Brady Jones
Last week, Western Sydney University (WSU) welcomed primary and high school students to their Hawkesbury campus for Re-Gen Z National Science Week. From Year 3 to HSC students, The Hawkesbury is starting sustainability education young, and for the locals we’ve got some interesting insights for your backyard.
Throughout the week, sustainability workshops took place from Water Management, Soil Care and Plant Pollination to Ecosystem Restoration and Regenerative Agriculture. Together with the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education (CoE), Local Land Services, Earth Care and Hawkesbury City Council, WSU focused on fostering the hopes and dreams of our future scientists and environmental leaders.
Kriz Beazley, CoE Principal said, “These students could be shaping the future of agriculture in NSW, so it’s vital they have access to the latest expertise” –– especially in a region so soil diverse like The Hawkesbury.
“We’re empowering the next generation of science leaders by bringing them into real-world problem solving. By combining traditional knowledge, community expertise, and digital tools like AI and GIS, we’re not just teaching science, we’re using it to shape a more sustainable and informed future for the Hawkesbury,” said Dr. Mark Jones, Associate Dean of Engagement and Advancement in the School of Science at WSU.
A Day Out in the Soil
Soil Care day consisted of sessions from an outdoor soil pit, expert Q&A panel, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) talk to create climate resilience actionables. Dr Mark Jones, said the program reflects a growing need for science education to be locally relevant, hands-on, and inclusive of diverse communities.
Students walking to the expert panel session and Lab Manager Mark Emanuel teaching in the soil pit about erosion prevention, PH testing and ecosystem changes.
To start off the day, students gathered around the soil pit and listened to Mark Emanuel, WSU Lab Manager, probe test the soil for electrical conductivity, moisture and PH.
CoE student moderators, Riley Taylor, Cathy Gao, Amey Muythoda and Lyra-Hubbard Kearne led the expert panel with Richard Stevens from Local Land Services, Charlotte Weaver from Hawkesbury City Council, and WSU School of Science Lecturers, Dr. Thomas Jeffries and Dr. Jason Reynolds. The students asked a number of fascinating questions about the chemistry, biology and environmental ramifications for soil. Interestingly, soil forms very slowly from a mm-cm every hundred years and when degradation happens, it’s very easy to ruin soil and very hard to restore it.
It was a great day out for the students, who were thoroughly engaged.
A New Agricultural Centre at Western Sydney University
Concepts have been approved for a state-of-the-art facility, delivering world-class agricultural and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education right here in the Hawkesbury! This has been granted as part of the NSW Government’s 3.6-billion-dollar plan to rebuild public education for growing communities.
Set to start construction later this year on WSU’s Richmond grounds, the new centre will include ten classrooms, five science labs, administration and farming facilities, a greenhouse, multi-purpose hall, canteen, a covered outdoor learning area and dedicated spaces to support Aboriginal Enterprise.
Artist Impressions (Aboriginal Enterprise) of the new centre outdoors.
How Can Hawkesbury Locals Be Sustainable?
Whether you're caring for your lawn or spending time in a local park, the experts have got some environmental advice…
- Richard Stevens - "Don't be afraid of soil”
One of the best tools in your shed is a shovel, so get your hands dirty! One of the easiest ways to check the health of your soil is to bury a pair of cotton undies, and test how much they decompose. The lesser material left, equals a richer soil microbiome. Richard coins this as the ‘Soil Your Undies’ method –– something that got the whole group giggling.
- Dr. Thomas Jeffries - “Plant a tree, vegetable or herbs!”
Watching a plant grow is more interesting than it sounds. Besides learning how your plant adapts to the environment, you’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment bringing something to life, and with that hopefully some stress relief too! With just one small seed you can profoundly support the health and survival of your local ecosystem.
- Charlotte Weaver - “Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest threats we have”
What the community is doing in their own backyards is really important…and if you don’t have your own patch of paradise think about local parks! Composting, observing growth patterns or simply doing your soil research when purchasing a new plant, is a great way to give back to your environment!
- Dr. Jason Reynolds - “Think of soil as the skin of the Earth”
If we don’t protect the topmost layer of our environment, we won’t be able to feed ourselves –– agriculture can’t solely survive off greenhouses. If you can, put soil under a microscope, and observe the invisible environment teaming with life.
For The Hawkesbury, a future of environmental sustainability looks bright! It’s not only our job to support our younger locals but also set the example for agricultural care and awareness.
