From learning to lizards
The Office of Water Security (OWS) joined Power Water Corporation and the Department of Education and Training at Dripstone Middle School in early December 2025 to help year 7 students weed their native garden.
The native garden was installed in early 2025 as part of the pilot schools water efficiency program.
A section of water-intensive turf was converted into a garden with native plants, and as the saying goes, if you build it, they will come. The team spotted all kinds of species that had made the native garden their home: caterpillars, butterflies, and even a baby frill-necked lizard!
Native gardens require significantly less water than many non-native species. They reduce the area requiring irrigation, thereby lowering the school's water consumption. The native garden also provides educational opportunities that align with Power Water Corporation’s that's my water curriculum.
The schools water efficiency program is part of Power and Water's expanded living water smart program, co-funded by OWS.
