Green thumbs gather

Thousands of native seedlings have been sown near Ballan at a community planting day, as part of plans to rejuvenate and revegetate the landscape.

Around 100 volunteers gathered to plant seedlings at Grow West’s annual community planting day on Sunday 16 July, including Member for Hawke Sam Rae and Moorabool Shire Councillor Moira Berry.

One of Australia’s longest running landscape restoration programs, Grow West has been responsible for the improvement and restoration of degraded landscapes in the west since 2003, and has planted over 1.4 million seedlings, rehabilitated more than 2,500 hectares of lands, and engaged with over 3,000 volunteers since its inception.

Grow West Coordinator Lindy MacRaild said it was fantastic to see so many people volunteer their time and effort to help restore the local environment.

“Grow West is committed to landscape restoration and habitat connectivity, working towards resilient ecosystems that thrive for generations to come,” Ms MacRaild said.

“It’s very encouraging to see so many people engage with the land in such a meaningful way. Together we’re achieving great things for our environment, our wildlife, and our communities.”

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Grow West will be planting 20,000 seedlings across the landscape during this planting season. Activities will connect to previous Grow West plantings along the Werribee River, support several new and ongoing revegetation projects being undertaken in the area, and be completed in September.

The planting day was run in collaboration with Melbourne Water, Central Highlands Water, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Moorabool Shire Council, Friends of Werribee Gorge and Long Forest Mallee, Moorabool Landcare Network, Fifteen Trees, Bacchus Marsh Lions Club and Victorian Mobile Landcare Group.

Grow West is a partnership between Moorabool Shire Council, City of Melton, Moorabool Landcare Network, Southern Rural Water, Greater Western Water, Parks Victoria, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water – the Catchment Management Authority.

Catchment management authorities are responsible for the integrated planning and coordination of land, water and biodiversity management in each catchment and land protection region. For Melbourne Water, programs include Grow West, Regional Landcare Coordination, Ramsar Protection Program, Living Links, Yarra 4 Life and more.