KERANG Rotarians have helped plant more than 1800 trees as part of a conservation project in East Gippsland.
Rotarian and environmental champion Lilia Murray said the restoration project had been in the pipeline for the past two years but was delayed due to COVID-19 and state-wide restrictions.
However, late last month the enthusiastic group of volunteers, headed by Rotary Club of Kerang president Gerardine Prendergast, clocked up more than 500km as they travelled to Newlands Arm and Lakewood Park Forge Creek to partake in the project which was a joint initiative between Rotary and Landcare.
“We were able to fulfil the long-time planned joint project to rehabilitate public lands, specifically to those watersheds for the purpose of purifying water in lakes surrounding the area,” Ms Murray said.
“The Kerang team brought the raised 150 tree seedlings to Bairnsdale.”
Across two days the volunteers planted hundreds of seedlings.
Ms Murray said 24 volunteers planted 1250 assorted tree seedlings at Newlands Arm on the first day.
“It was great fun, with everyone participating,” Ms Murray said.
“Age did not matter, the enthusiasm was felt.”
The following day the group moved to Lakewood Park Forge Creek where more tree seedlings were planted by a group of 12 volunteers.
“Even though the area has very steep slopes, we were able to plant 600 assorted tree seedlings,” Ms Murray said.
Following two days of solid tree planting, their efforts were rewarded and participants celebrated with a dinner.
While the Kerang Rotary Club volunteers have since returned to home soil, the group now has plans to take place in a similar project at a local level.
The group hope to germinate their own plants from seeds which will then be planted within the Gannawarra shire with the help of local schools and other volunteers.
