Many hands help Spring Gully habitats

A FOGGY and cold morning didn’t deter keen Spring Gully community members from coming together to create a new natural habitat at the local creek trail last Sunday.

The Friends of Spring Gully Reserve group had just under 40 pairs of hands planting small shrubs and grasses that will hopefully become homes for small birds, insects, and reptiles.

Co-founder Britt Gregory said the group aims to improve habitats, aesthetics and create community connections in the area, and Sunday’s turnout was terrific.

“We look at doing things not only to improve the environment and habitats, but also to educate the community,” she said.

She also said it was great to see so many kids digging in and lending a hand.

“We have a really great family turn out every time we have one of these events,” she said. “Having the next generation having that love for the environment is so important.”

The Friends of Spring Gully Reserve formed in March 2019 and is a combined effort from Ms Gregory, Shae Hellstedt and City of Greater Bendigo park ranger Ami Greenfield.

“Ami has a really good idea of what needs to happen and what activities might be good for the community,” Ms Gregory said.

Later this year, the group will work on a wildflower demonstration garden, hold an informative spotlight walk to learn about nocturnal animals, and is currently seeking funding for an interpretive sculpture trail through the creek trail with help from the Dja Dja Wurrung people.