TAFE students get research insight into Frenchman's Creek project

A CQUniversity water expert has been working with CQUni TAFE Conservation and Land Management students on a revegetation project at the base of Mt Archer in Rockhampton.

The research and vocational education collaboration involves a parcel of land on the banks of Frenchman's Creek provided to the group for learning purposes by Rockhampton Regional Council.

Dr Adam Rose last week provided the students with some insight into the water cycle' local ecological trends' and possible strategies to promote ideal water flow in the creek.

Dr Rose is an advocate for the mantra 'slow the flow' in which he suggests retaining water within certain water systems is the key to many community benefits – social' economic and environmental.

The TAFE students in turn showcased their revegetation efforts to date' with numerous plants thriving due to eco water bags placed just under the mulch and slowly dripping for up to four weeks.

The eco bags are replenished by Council's portable water tanker during student excursions.

Horticulture and conservation teacher Kay Pearson said unlike many other certificate level providers in this space' CQUni Conservation and Land Management students were uniquely placed to learn from a cross-section of experts.

'Our students have had the opportunity to work closely with higher education academics' like Dr Rose' on a number of our projects.

'This sort of collaboration provides our students with a comprehensive and often out-of-the-box look at conservation and land management topics.'

Ms Pearson said students also have had the privilege of learning from former CQUni academic and plant and nature enthusiast Bob Newby who is revegetating a neighboring parcel of land on Frenchman's Creek.

The Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management course' soon to be renamed Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management' is offered on campus in Rockhampton and online with students able to complete the course at their own pace for up to two years.

The nationally recognised and accredited qualification enables students to seek careers in Indigenous land management' lands' parks' and wildlife or natural area management fields.