Canungra State School children got their hands dirty on Tuesday, coming to the rescue of one of the Coast's most threatened species.

The kids of class 3A spent this morning planting vital food for the Richmond Birdwing butterfly at David Fleay Wildlife Park.

The Richmond birdwing vines are an essential part of the endangered butterfly's breeding cycle, so the 25 planted by the children will help the species come back from the brink.

An introduced species of vine, the Dutchman's Pipe, has disrupted the insects' breeding cycle by mimicking the Richmond birdwing vine and poisoning them.

Dr Ian Gynther of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection said the beautiful butterfly is coming back thanks to dedicated researchers and community members like the Canungra kids.

"Queensland has 295 threatened animals and 1083 threatened plants. If we create the right opportunities, their recovery is possible, and this species is a great example of that," Dr Gynther said.

Canungra State School children have raised funds over the years to buy and plant the vines at their school, creating a stepping stone between pockets of habbitat.

The project forms part of Threatened Species Week and is designed to show how everyday people can protect threatened plants and wildlife.