Planting to help revitalise eco-corridor

MORE than 3,000 grassland species have been planted in the Spring Creek Valley to help reinstate native ecology and form an eco-corridor.

Surf Coast Energy Group (SCEG) recently co-hosted a partnership planting day near Ashmore Arts in Torquay with 50 representatives from the Quiksilver Foundation (Boardriders) and Torquay and District Landcare group.

 

The group planted hundreds of species of grassland species including Kangaroo grass, Wallaby grass, Tall Wheat grass, Native Dock, Vanilla Lily and Black-anther Flax-lily.

SCEG chair Graeme Stockton said grassy woodland environments such as the valley patch near Ashmore Arts have been “hit hard with European colonisation mostly through agriculture but more recently through urbanisation.”

 

He said it was great to have so many hands helping to restore it and bring it back to life.

“Partnerships between businesses, local landowners and community are incredibly important and can collectively make a huge difference to our backyard.

 

“This whole exercise brings back nature and is sure to improve our local economy.

The planting will also have positive benefits for landowners as well as our Ashmore artists who will have some more beautiful plants and grasses to look over.

 

 

“A huge thanks to all for being part of it.”

Quiksilver Foundation’s Eve Hollenkamp said the organisation was rapt to have notched up their 17th consecutive year of planting with SCEG and Torquay and District Landcare.

 

“17 years ago we started planting at Red Rocks and since then we’ve enjoyed making a difference in our own backyard.

“We loved working for a long period of time at Bowman Track and gladly its now beaming bright with life. Now we’ve shifted our attention to this beautiful biolink out here at Spring Creek Valley.

“We plan to plant here for the next six years or so to build up this area and secure it for animal and bird life year-round. I’m sure the results will be amazing.”