Stawell Primary School biodiversity ninjas have embarked on an ambitious project to save the threatened species found in the Stawell Ironbarks.
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Students are investigating and working towards a solution which could help save the squirrel glider, swift parrot and tawny spider orchid, all threatened species.
The Squirrel Glider has a long bushy tail, long pointy face and their colour are usually brown or grey.
They are found in forests and woodlands and feed at night. Owls, dogs, cats and foxes threaten them.
Swift Parrots come to Victoria in winter, all the way from Tasmania, for food and a nesting place. They feed on flowering Ironbark's. They are threatened because of fires and sugar glider predation, particularly in Tasmania. Scientists believe it would only take 16 years until extinction.
The Tawny Spider Orchid is only found in the Stawell Ironbarks. It's threatened because of grazing animals and weed invasion. They are also damaged by vehicles and trampled by orchid enthusiasts.
Students have constructed nine nest boxes for the Squirrel Gliders. Close to 400 Ironbark vegetation trees have been planted and an understory species have also been planted near the Ironbarks as a refuge and a food source. A community campaign will shortly be launched drawing attention to the Tawny Spider Orchid and how residents in the area can all help the incredibly unique species.
Teacher Bronwyn Bant said the program had changed students' perspective on the value of the Stawell Ironbarks.
"Over the course of the year, we have learnt about some of the threatened species that call the Ironbarks home, explored the area, and delivered projects that help support these species," she said.
"Through these activities, students have gained a new appreciation for the Ironbarks and gained a deeper understanding of their environmental significance locally and more broadly.
"We're incredibly grateful to have received a Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grant to make this possible."