Bayside Alive! offers fun and informative activities

A FUN day was had by all who attended the Bayside Alive! Indented Head Community Environment Day last month.

The Bayside Alive! Program is an environmental education and engagement program which focusses on our natural and “alive” coastline.

The program provides Bellarine Bayside a vehicle to provide fun and informative activities and opportunities for the community.

The community planting day started with a cup of tea or coffee in educational marquees set up by the Bellarine Bayside staff, the attendees engaged with the environmental resources provided, and had some fun looking though the tabletop beachcomb.

After a short welcome, introduction and safety talk, the event kicked off.

Almost 600 plants were in the ground less than two hours.

The children were treated to games, and prizes were handed out for the aptly named “pot python” game.

Each child also received a show bag full of posters and booklets to continue their learning at home.

After tree planting concluded, guest speaker Leanne from Victorian Fisheries Authority taught attendees about short-finned eels found at the site.

These marine animals are well-known for their long migration, sometimes in excess of 3,000 kilometres to the south east of New Guinea in the Coral Sea as their spawning site.

The group was treated to a waterbug activity provided by Deirdre from WaterWatch.

Bellarine Bayside will be hosting two more Bayside Alive! Community planting days.

One at Portartlington is on Sunday July 15 between 11am and 1.30pm, and will include planting and a talk about eco-restoration and Coastal Spinifex.

Meet opposite 63 The Esplanade, Portarlington. Lunch will be provided.

Planet Ark National Tree Day is at St Leonards on Sunday July 29 between 11am and 1.30pm.

Trevor Prescott will be talking about habitat trees and nest boxes.

Meet at Lower Bluff Road. Lunch will also be provided.