Planting for future generations

STUDENTS from Mount Clear Secondary College have been busy planting trees at Mount Egerton.

The project, organised by Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, involved year nine students restoring Moorabool farmland to become wildlife habitat.

Students first took part in a week of preparation where they learnt about wildlife that will benefit from their work, and then they headed to the site last Thursday.

“We are here to plant trees to help with habitat loss and to help give animals a place to live,” said student Riley.

“If the animals don’t have a place to live then their numbers could go down or they could start dying.”

The project forms part of the school’s year nine volunteering program.

“We spend each Thursday out and about trying to help and do something,” said Riley.

“We are helping out here and doing things around the school like picking up rubbish.

“It feels good to actually help make a difference.”

Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation is also providing the opportunity for landholders to have an indigenous tree or shrub planted on their property.

Over coming months, members of the organisation will plant trees on local properties to increase biodiversity and habitat.

“People don’t have to have a hectare, people can have a little suburban back yard and want to put in a flowering native,” said Melissa Morey, president of Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation.

“Little birds like nectar-eaters like the seeds and then it’s habitat for lizards.

“So you are not just putting in one big Koala tree, you’re starting to create a whole ecosystem.”

Any landowners who are interested in participating are invited to email [email protected].