All invited to plant for future

THE seventh annual mass tree planting organised by members of the Friends of Canadian Corridor is set to take place next month.

With the aim of planting 500 trees at the intersection between Dozed Track and Katy Ryans Road, FoCC secretary Jeff Rootes said the initiative is about filling in Woowookarung Regional Park’s deforested gaps.

“This will be in the old plantation area around the intersection,” he said. “The understory is doing well but there’s a shortage of gum trees in that area.

“We’re planting Yarra gums, manna gums, swamp gums, some wattles, messmates, and shrubs.

“We’re actually linking up existing forest with remnant bits of forest, filling in the gaps, you might say. Each one adds on from ones added years before.

“The plan is to keep going south until we literally get to Recreation Road.”

Since its establishment in 2017, Mr Roots said the yearly event is always a popular one for the Friends.

“We always have a really good turnout,” he said. “Children come out with their families and do their bit, and it’s a great social event.

“We start small with 200 trees but it’s since grown because people have wanted to be involved.

“We usually get about 30 to 40 people each year. This is also koala habitat being re-established which is in line with the City of Ballarat’s koala plan and management.”

The tree planting day will start at 10am on Sunday 6 August with tools, gloves, and trees provided, the latter of which are grown at the Ballarat Community Nursery.

Though not needed to take part in the event, registration is required for catering purposes and can be done by visiting the FoCC website or by emailing [email protected].