Reprint of popular coastal flora booklets released

NEW editions of two popular flora booklets produced by the Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) have just come off the presses.

The two booklets, Coastal Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula and Inland Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula are the result of three years of hard work, involving the collection of more than 3,000 new images, the inclusion of Wadawurrung cultural plant knowledge, the acquisition of new information and amendments to species names.

BCN says they are a valuable community resource, much-loved by residents and visitors, and used for bush regeneration, backyard plantings, general identification purposes and botanical studies.

The network has reprinted more than 10,000 copies of the booklets with the support of a grant from Coastcare Victoria and the Victorian Government. These booklets are quickly making their way into the community, and are also available to the general public in places such as the Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre, SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre and the Ocean Grove Library.

“These resources are essential for helping our community preserve our local habitat,” BCN vice president and Bellarine Landcare Group committee member Beth Ross said.

“There is so much pressure from development and pest species.

“We can only care for local plants and prevent local extinction if we can correctly recognise native flora. The extra information provided by the Wadawurrung is of real value to our community.”

BCN comprises representatives from key catchment and coastal organisations (both government and non-government) with an integrated catchment management focus. This includes environment groups, “friends of”, land managers, Landcare and Coastcare.

The network supports community organisation and diverse community participation in order to conserve and rehabilitate the local coastal ecosystems.

If you would like a copy of either the Coastal Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula or Inland Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula booklets, head to the Bellarine Catchment Network’s website to locate your closest participating information centre.