THE Crossing Land Education Trust at Bermagui has involved its volunteers in a project revegetating a key coastal forest connectivity corridor thanks to a Raymond Borland Bequest Grant.
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The project involved seed propagation, planting and habitat surveys of the riparian habitat on the only north-south wildlife corridor across the Bermagui River.
The project forms part of The Crossing’s educational conservation program aimed at educating young people on the importance of environmental conservation.
More than 150 students contributed to the project, which saw the enhancement of 1.5km of native vegetation along the Coolagolite Creek, including remnant vegetation along the river and Aboriginal-owned land, and the improvement of long-term water quality in the creek.
The Crossing’s president David Newell is proud of the effect that the project is having on the local environment.
“These eucalypt plantings will provide two locally endangered koala populations with access to higher nutrient browse and potential fire refuges due to the relatively fertile soil substrates along the Bermagui and Coolagolite rivers,” he said.
There were some challenges to overcome when flooding destroyed a number of key sections of the fenced corridor along the Coolagolite Creek and cows damaged sections of the Stage 1 plantings.
2012 NSW Vocational Education & Training (VET) in Schools’ “Student of the Year” Sam Hodder was excited to be part of the project.
“This work is making a difference, we’re not just planting trees, we’re planting wildlife corridors and river protection zones and we’re connecting coastal national parks,” Sam said.
“This Landcare work also has real benefit for koala habitat connections. Thanks to the Borland Bequest Fund for the support.”
The Raymond Borland Bequest grants program, managed by Landcare Australia, has supported 13 community environmental groups to undertake projects that will repair and restore the natural environment in rural and non-tidal areas of New South Wales.
Funding from the Borland grants program has also boosted a project to reduce weed infestations along the Deua River linking the Deua Rivercare group with the Upper Deua Valley Landcare group, opening frequent communication and a collaborative approach towards overall catchment health and increasing the capacity of local landowners to conduct effective weed control in riparian zones on their properties.
