Working bee – National Tree Day + free BBQ

Activity: National Tree Day 2024 planting at Lewis Swamp south with celebration BBQ afterwards.

Description: Please come along today to help us restore this interesting swampy area adjacent to the trail.  What we call Lewis Swamp south was a prior alignment of the creek, evidenced by the pebbly ground in much of the low-lying parts.  The creek’s current alignment was dredged out to the west for reasons and by persons unknown to us.

This area used to be dominated by terribly invasive weeds, including crack willow, Phalaris and blackberry.  Thanks to several year’s of our work and last year’s post flood cleanup, this area is now almost totally free of them, so we can focus again on restoring the indigenous species that should grow here.

Some of our previous revegetation work here was damaged during the flood in September 2022 and the subsequent cleanup with heavy machinery.  Thanks to funding from the North Central CMA, we’re hoping today to plant over 2,000 seedlings of seven different species.

Afterwards we’ll be providing a barbecue, including gluten free and vegetarian options.

Meet at the Lewis Drive carpark, Castlemaine for a 10:00 a.m. start.   If you arrive late, we’ll be working from there downstream.

Wear: gloves, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the weather.

Bring your own drinking water if you need it.

Hope to see you there!