BioMaPs

All students in the College will have the opportunity to develop and implement a BioMaP (Biodiversity Management Plan) with the main aim to improve biodiversity in the College or local environment. The plans will form part of the course work on Managing Environments for Year 10 Introduction to Environmental Science. To participate in the improvement of Biodiversity at Aquinas a Biodiversity plan needs to be developed and submitted to the Environment and Sustainability Co-ordinator (ESC). The plan will be examined to determine its suitability and funding will be provided to help implement the plan. The funds for the plans will be sourced from the Environment and Sustainability budget. The ordering of materials, plants and other equipment will be managed by the ESC. Each plan should include information about the: · Purpose of the plan · time to be spent on the activity: 4-6 hours (year 10 course work task) · area of the College where the work will occur · students in the group who will be working on the activity · procedures to be used in completing the work · tools, plants or other goods needed for the activity · health and safety issues related to the activity · strategies for protection, maintenance and monitoring of the works over time · likely impact that the activity will have on biodiversity · funds required for the activity · Teachers or other staff who will be managing and assisting in the implementation of the plan. For students in Year 10 Introduction to Environmental Science the length of the plan should be 1-2 A-4 pages, word processed and set out appropriately. The task will occupy between 4-6 hours of class work with teams of between 4-6 students. The presentation and details in the plan will obviously indicate the seriousness of the submission and be likely to help contribute to the overall success of the plan. The presentation of the plan and the carrying the plan to action will contribute to the final assessment of students in the course. Information from the Biodiversity Audit carried out in February 2011 suggested that Biodiversity can be improved through · Increase in tree canopy · Increase in understorey planting · Increase in mulched areas · Increase in number of logs/fallen timber remaining in gardens · Reducing weeds Over a number of years the Biodiversity at Aquinas has increased due to the increase in native and indigenous planting throughout the College. Much of the perimeter of the school particularly those bordering Jubillee Park has been planted with indigenous plants sourced from the CRISP nursery. Activities include: identification of weed species; hand weeding of grasses and seedlings; possibly some digging of more substantial plants that can’t be easily pulled out; composting of weeds (covered with shadecloth for containment); extension of mulched area ( types of mulch to be investigated – to be sourced by Environment and Sustainability Co-ordinator; on-going monitoring Planting of //Activities include:// defining area to be revegetated with vegetation off cuts/prunings/fallen logs; treatment of area with herbicide to kill exotic grasses (managed by maintenance or ESC); mulching of area with mulch sourced by the ESC; further planting of species appropriate for the conditions of the site chosen. //Activities include//: checking of Aquinas plant database to determine plants used in garden bed; research on suitable plants; recommendations to ESC for plants; sourced by ESC; planting of required plants These will be organised by the ESC and will involve the selection of a suitable site for planting, the sourcing of plants and making the arrangement for the planting through consultation with the maintenance team and classes of students.
 * BioMaPs - Biodiversity Management Plans – Improving our Biodiversity **
 * Potential Programs in 2011 **
 * Weed removal**: (High Priority Activity) Along western boundary with Jubillee park including south of the water tanks main weeds include Veldt grass, Sweet Pittosporum, Boneseed, Blackberry and English Ivy. These weeds are considered significant environmental weeds that have the potential to completely overtake an area to the detriment of indigenous plants. They generally require constant monitoring to avoid spreading.
 * Bush Revegetation**: (High Priority Activity)Location is along south boundary of school (Reilly st) with vegetation off cuts/prunings/fallen logs and mulching the defined area
 * Planting and maintenance of existing garden beds**: (Medium priority) specific garden beds throughout the school may need follow up planting to replace plants that have died, increase vegetation cover or add mulch for helping to retain soil moisture. Additional areas of the College may also be available. Eg year 7/8 quad raised beds. Advice to be given by ESC.
 * National Tree planting Days**

STONY CREEK RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (SECTION 1) 2007 - 2010 http://www.fonw.org.au/HomePage/RestOfSite/Documents/StonyCreekPlan_Stage1.1.pdf this plan has a good list of weeds with a arange of management strategies www.glenfernbushlands.org.au/glenfernmgt**plan**.do http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fobrb/MP-BRBR.html
 * examples of management plans**
 * Glenfern valley bushland management plan**
 * Burke Road Billabong Reserve Management Plan May 2010****