Sand hills rejuvenated through blooming partnership
From the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
An innovative conservation program is helping to rejuvenate sand hills in the river red gum forests of the Murray Darling Basin.
These forests are well known for their unique wildlife, historic values associated with iconic times like the paddleboat era, and intrinsic cultural values for Aboriginal communities.
The sand hill revegetation project was funded by a program known as ‘Communities in Forests’, a partnership founded in 2004 between Forests NSW and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA).
‘Communities in Forests’ aims to involve CVA volunteers and the local community in 10 weeks of practical conservation programs across New South Wales every year.
Forests NSW planning forester based at Deniliquin, Anna Flanagan, said the sand hill revegetation project has provided the opportunity for local and international volunteers to experience the beautiful red gum forests while helping the environment.
“The local project focused on protecting and replanting sand hills degraded from grazing, rabbits and loss of vegetation,” she said.
About 80 volunteers assisted with different aspects of the project during a four-week period. Volunteers included university students from America, Japan, China, Germany and England.
Also lending assistance was the Murray Catchment Management Authority (CMA), and local groups and individuals from the Bendigo, Echuca and Deniliquin areas, including a group of 30 students from Echuca College, and students from Deniliquin TAFE studying land management.
The Murray CMA also contributed to the project with an in-kind contribution of five kilometres of direct seeding at Melville’s Sand Hill, which had already been fenced off from previous funding received.
Anna said natural regeneration on the sand hills had failed due to ongoing grazing pressures from rabbits and cattle, as well as plant competition from invasive weeds.
She said sand hills were also very important for local Aboriginal communities as they often contain burial sites.
The volunteers fixed fences at around 10 sand hills to exclude cattle grazing; protected four Aboriginal burial sites with rabbit-proof fencing; removed large areas of weeds including boxthorn and peppercorn trees; removed rabbit warrens; and replanted 1400 native species on sand hills in Gulpa Island State Forest.
“The project has provided a wonderful opportunity for local and international volunteers to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and learn new skills, all while making a real difference to the environment,” Anna said.
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
