Locals have an incredible opportunity to learn from an all-star cast of cultural and conservation experts at Nature Conservation’s biggest community volunteer planting day of the year in less than a fortnight.
“This is the big one! We need all hands-on deck from our amazing community to prepare the site on Thursday, May 23 and then plant more than 2000 seedlings on Sunday, May 26 to help revegetate the banks on the Margaret River,” says Lauren Scanlon, who coordinates Nature Conservation’s Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program.
At the big Sunday planting, there will be a Welcome to Country by cultural custodian Zac Webb, who will also give a fascinating insight into the Wadandi connection to the river and its wildlife, and how they live alongside and nurture the Wooditjup Bilya.
Meanwhile at the Thursday site preparation day, an all-star cast – including the Undalup Association’s Wadandi rangers, Nature Conservation’s Bush Regeneration Team, and the Friends of Wooditjup Bilya river restorers who have been doing conservation work along the Margaret River all year – will be on-hand to inspire, educate and guide everyone who turns up.
Read more and register for Thursday’s site preparation day HERE. Or read more and register for Sunday’s big planting day HERE.
“This is an amazing chance for the community to come along and hear from Zac speak, and learn from and connect with Wadandi country and culture. It’s also an awesome opportunity to come along, get your hands dirty, plant some seeds and trees, build community, have a ball and learn from some of our region’s most knowledgeable bush regeneration and conservation gurus,” says Lauren. “We need your help at either the site preparation session or the big planting day – or both. Everyone is welcome and there are volunteer roles to suit all age and fitness levels.”
The revegetation builds on six years of riparian restoration along the Margaret River near Kevill River Reserve and will link two existing restoration sites, connecting a wildlife corridor, widening the riparian buffer zone and improving water quality. It already covers an impressive four hectares and is improving water quality, enhancing habitat for a host of native birds and animals, and boosting biodiversity.
Lauren said the Friends of Wooditjip Bilya program has run for almost 12 months with a series of events featuring guided excursions with custodians and caretakers of the river. “And what better example of custodianship than 3000 generations of Wadandi people caring for this special river,” says Lauren. “We’re not separate from this place, from nature or the river – we’re part of it. Those of us who live here really do have a responsibility to care for it, and this is the perfect chance to do that.”
“Last year we had a mammoth community turnout, with more than 100 volunteers planting more than 2000 seedlings. This year we’ve got just as many plants to get into the ground, so we need plenty of helpers to continue to restore this beautiful section of the Wooditjup Bilya or Margaret River,” Lauren added.
The Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program is generously funded by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, while this planting is also funded by the shire along with CrossFit Margaret River, Cape Mentelle and River Fresh IGA.
Registration is requested as it helps plan and make the most of the many helping hands. Meet corner of Doyle Place and Kevill Road West. Each registered participant will receive detailed instructions along with a parking map via email prior to the event. Morning tea is provided. Bring weather protection, hat, water bottle and gloves and a trowel if you have them.