Conserving nature in Inverleigh

THE Friends of Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve are inviting the community to get involved with their work to protect and enhance the park.

Guests are welcome to hear more about what they do by attending the group’s annual general meeting on Thursday 7 March at 7.30pm at the Teesdale Community Hall.

Koala Clancy Foundation CEO and president Janine Duffy will be the guest speaker on the night.

Ms Duffy is aiming to restore habitat for koalas by planting trees in partnership with landowners across the Golden Plains region.

“Janine has worked at one of the big properties nearby, Woolbrook, and we’ve been planting trees in there as part of her plan,” said Friends of Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve member, Glen White.

“Woolbrook runs into the Inverleigh reserve, so we’re creating habitat for koalas so they can move from one habitat to another without being harassed by other animals, like dogs.

“Janine is absolutely part of our philosophy, and we want her to encourage other local landowners in this area, Meredith and Maude, to have us on their land to plant trees.

“It’s a win-win situation.”

The AGM will also include the voting in of a new committee and 2024 planning.

The volunteer Friends exist to manage the Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve in conjunction with Parks Victoria.

They undertake working bees to rid the park of noxious weeds, plant native and Indigenous species, and aim to promote what’s great about the green space.

“We try to push the positives; we have fabulous birds and plants there, and there is an orchid reserve,” Ms White said.

“We do a fungus walk later in the year, we do bird walks, and wildflower walks.

“It’s a lovely resource for people, and we welcome them to enjoy the reserve in the way it’s meant to be used.”

In 2024, Ms White said the volunteers have a goal to reduce the speed limit through the park, to combat rubbish and destructive trail bike riding.