Friends care for east nature corridor

ONE of Ballarat’s nature corridors is returning to its best and greenest with the help of some grassroots volunteers.

Stemming from Friends of the Yarrowee, an informal coalition of green thumbs was established in Ballarat East three years ago to take care of Specimen Vale reserve which runs along the creek between Stawell Street and Main Road.

There are roughly 50 Friends of Specimen Vale, with active members meeting fortnightly on Thursdays to maintain various sections of the winding reserve, planting indigenous groundcover, clearing weeds, and mulching.

The “engaged” group is led by locals Meredith Harvey and Ellen Scott, who plan working bees and distribute a newsletter.

“We’re creating this beautiful little natural habitat and calm urban corridor,” Ms Harvey said. “It’s here for people’s enjoyment and pleasure.”

When Ms Harvey moved into Ballarat East, the Chamberlain and Rodier Street section of Specimen Vale was a horse paddock.

“It was a wasteland, like Ballarat’s creeks have been,” she said. “Gradually, planting has been done, the tracks have been put in, and we’re maintaining that.

“It’s good for our mental health, and good for the soul to get our hands in the dirt. Areas like this with trees are so important for the health of the climate because they cool the environment.

“It’s about planting a tree for the future, being aware of protecting things, and how important greenery is in the urban environment.”

Friends of Specimen Vale held a working bee for National Tree Day last week, receiving a $100 grant from Community Bank Buninyong’s environmental fund to keep volunteers fed and watered.

“It’s a very friendly group of people,” Ms Harvey said. “When people pass by, we always extend the invitation to join us, and people are so appreciative of what we’re doing; it’s lovely.

“Some people like to come along because they don’t have their own gardens at home.”

The Friends are supported by the City of Ballarat, who supply stakes, tree guards, and mulch. The plants are sourced from the native nursery at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

“We meet with the nursery coordinator once every six months,” Ms Scott said. “This week, we were supplied with 300 trees.”

If you are interested in joining the group, email [email protected].