71 students and staff from both St Arnaud Secondary College and Donald High School planted over 6,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses at Winjallok and Gre Gre.
During the final week of third term, 71 students and staff from both St Arnaud Secondary College and Donald High School planted over 6,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses at Winjallok and Gre Gre. The project was a joint collaboration between the Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network, Winjallok Landcare Group, St Arnaud Secondary College, Riverlea Australia, Kara Kara CMN and the Donald High School. Funding was provided through the North Central CMA’s Community Grants Program. The involvement of the schools was through their annual Enviroweek and Greenweek programs. The sites included enhancing existing remnant vegetation and previous direct seeding efforts on an 18 ha,often steep-sided and rocky hill top. The site is adjacent to 7 large blocks of high quality remnant vegetation totalling over 400 hectares (approximately 230 hectares protected under Trust for Nature and Bush Heritage agreements). The site also provided a 360 degree view of the extensive network of reserves, remnant vegetation and corridors that it was part of - and on whose protection and enhancement Landcare groups, the Network and Kara Kara CMN are focused. 500 tubestock were planted at Riverlea Australia’s property at Gre Gre , extending exiting roadside vegetation and creating a small node of native vegetation. This planting represented the start of a new and welcome relationship between the local Landcare network and Riverlea Australia. Students, staff and Landcare volunteers enjoyed a twilight BBQ whilst enjoying a gorgeous sunset and bonfire at a truly picturesque location. The plantout is an annual event open to anybody interested in Landcare or the environment. Volunteers outside the school communities are encouraged to contact the Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network so they can participate I future Landcare activities and make their contribution. Contact: Kevin Spence Bnglandcare @bigpond.com Mobile: 0408 353 966