3000 trees were planted at two sites along the Macquarie River’s riparian zone, including a site adjoining Western Plains Zoo.
Landcare Australia has reported the success of project involving the Dubbo Rivercare Group and funded by the Jamamas Foundation and Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure.
A key element of the project was community engagement, highlighted by Dubbo Rivercare volunteers planting 500 seedlings. Abergeldie staff also got hands-on with the project, planting 900 seedlings at a working bee with local community members.
“It was a fun and fulfilling weekend activity with the Dubbo project team,” said a team member. “It was nice to contribute and give back to the local community and the banks of the Macquarie River in this way, particularly as it is a focal point on our project.”
Community
Along with local TAFE students, young people from Leader Life, a local non-profit organisation providing skills and work experience to local youth (including First Nations people), also participated. The activities provided practical experience for the young people alongside ecological education.
Groundwork for future conservation work
Through being part of the project local community members developed a better understanding of the importance of a healthy river system to their local environment and a stronger sense of responsibility through environmental stewardship. The groundwork for future conservation was strengthened through valuable relationship building between local groups.
The project faced weather challenges. with rain forcing delays to the planting, however the plants are currently doing well. Dubbo Rivercare Group recently reported around a 95% survival rate for the seedlings planted at the zoo site, and further watering is planned for the warmer months to maintain these high survival rates.
Daryl Green from Dubbo Rivercare Group said, “The supply of a watering cart was a key to the success of the planting exercise as it provided watering for the seedlings over the hot summer months.”
Key Activities
* Planting of 3000 seedlings in the Macquarie River riparian zone.
* Engaging TAFE students to plant 200 seedlings at Dubbo Zoo planting site
* Planting and watering of 500 seedlings by Dubbo Rivercare Group
* 900 seedlings planted by community members and Abergeldie staff
* 300 seedlings planted by local young people through not-for-profit organisation, Leader Life, and
* Educational sessions led by local environmental experts to increase knowledge of riparian restoration and its impact on local biodiversity and water health at community planting day.
Project Outcomes
Landcare Australia pointed out that while the full environmental benefits of the revegetation project won’t be seen for years, the planting of 3000 trees in the Macquarie River’s riparian zone was a major step towards restoring and preserving a key ecosystem.
Revegetation, using shrubs, understorey, and canopy species should positively affect various species, including fish, platypus, rakali, birds, lizards, and turtles This will result in more wildlife habitat along the riparian corridor, minimising erosion, and enriching the aquatic food web through increased native vegetation by the river.
Abergeldie and the Jaramas Foundation will continue their support of environmental restoration and the local community in the Dubbo region this year. Funding will be provided to Mid Macquarie Landcare to establish a Wellington Rivercare Group, expanding on the great work done in the region by Dubbo Rivercare.