Hunter Region Landcare Network chair Ruth Hardy presented Mrs Schmarr with the plants as well as environmental education material and a certificate of achievement for nominating in the 2009 Hunter Central Rivers Champions of the Catchment Awards.

The awards were an initiative of the Catchment Management Authority and the Landcare Network.

Murrurundi Public School was the only school in the area to nominate.

For the competition, children and staff from the school compiled a story and plan on their pages river project.

However, the school has a number of environmental initiatives including planting and monitoring trees along the banks of the Pages River, conducting water testing every month the students also participate in a water watchers program.

The school has also recently established an environmental area in the school grounds.

The trees the school received for nominating in the 2009 Hunter Central Rivers Champions of the Catchment Awards will be planted around the school.

And the Wise Lives Now Landcare environmental educational material support package will be taught to the primary students. The package includes learning about climate change, sustainability education and national research management.