Working Bee – National Tree Day and BBQ

While the emphasis of our landcare group is on local environmental restoration, there are two annual occasions when we are part of a nationwide effort.  Sunday, 6^th of August will be one of those.  Right around Australia there is a coordinated effort to re-establish indigenous trees and plants.

Our part of that planting effort is outlined below.  Please come along to enjoy National Tree Day and help achieve DjaDja Wurrung aspirations for a little-known creek-side oasis in the middle of Castlemaine.

Description:

We’re again supporting our first nations people to recover more of the indigenous nature of this wonderful area close to the centre of Castlemaine. “Booladj Kiarp Bolealong” is the DjaDja Wurrung name given to the area near where Barkers and Forest creeks join to form Campbells Creek. It’s often called the “three creeks meet” or the creek junction, and is one of the few places where magnificent mature river red-gums are still present.

Our members have been involved in ecological restoration activities along these creeks since 1986.  The willows and other woody weeds that once dominated are now gone and there’s a canopy of river red-gums and a good amount of understorey shrubs.  Still missing are (most of) the groundcover species.

Today we’ll be planting along the west bank of Campbells creeks from near Yandell Street almost to the Gaulton Street bridge.  The species include Lomandra, tussock grasses and two important habitat shrubs: Sweet Bursaria and Silver Banksia.

Meet:  here on the walking trail near Yandell Street, Castlemaine for a 10:00 a.m. start.  There is plenty of space for car parking at the east end of Yandell Street and nearby in Gaulton St.

Wear:  light gloves, sturdy clothing suited to the weather and footwear appropriate for wet ground: gumboots are strongly advised!

Please bring:  your own drinking water if needed.

We’ll supply: all the seedlings and planting tools.

There will be a barbecue provided at midday. For catering purposes, please register your interest in attending to info@focc.org.au.

Hope to see you there!