50+ volunteers donated their time to plant 1300 new seedling as part of an initiative from the Victorian Young Water Professionals.
On May 22nd of 2023 more than 50 volunteers kindly shared their time to plant 1300 new swamp marsh seedlings in Bunurong Country along a section of Kororoit Creek near Cherry Lake. The plants are a vital link between the Altona Skipper Butterfly population in “The Pines” in Seaholme and the population next to Cherry Lake.
The group was made up of Victorian Young Water Professionals, family and friends, Melbourne Water staff, a representative from Narrap and their family, and even a local community group who happened to pass by the event in the morning!
At the beginning of the event a member of the Narrap Team (Land and Country Management at Wurundjeri) presented the acknowledgement of country. We then heard from Gerard Morel about the history of the site, the habitat characteristics we were targeting for local species, and the method to use when planting to give the seedlings the best chance of success.
The morning rain cleared in time for planting, and the weather stayed lovely for the vegetarian barbecue!
AWA has been working with Melbourne Water to support the initiative since 2015, and this event marked our 7th year of planting together.
We would like to thank Melbourne Water’s Gerard Morel and the wider Waterways team. This important work was made possible thanks to a grant AWA VIC secured through Melbourne Water's Livable Communities, Livable Waterways and AWA's ongoing support.
Check out the full photo gallery here.
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by Lucy Goss
