Planting Trees at Fivebough Wetlands
The National Tree Day event held at Fivebough Wetlands on Sunday 30th July was a fantastic morning, thanks to over 50 enthusiastic volunteers who braved the early start to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty planting 800 trees at the site.
Elijah Ingram gave a wonderful welcome to the site, which looked stunning in the fresh morning air. The weather behaved very well for the event, with enough sun peeking through the cloud cover to warrant hats and sunscreen and the wind politely staying away until the morning wrapped up at 11am.
Attendees made the effort to travel from Griffith, Narrandera and even Wellington however the majority of tree planters were local community members, enthusiastic to make a difference in their backyard and assist in the improvement of the wetlands reserve for the benefit of Leeton. The green-thumbs ranged from 1 to 72 years old, all actively contributing in their capacity.
The involvement of several Leeton community organisations – Lions Club, C.W.A. and Rural Fire Service (Fivebough Brigade) showed how important Fivebough Wetlands and the local natural ecosystems are to the area and ensured that all were well fed and watered (including the trees!). The support and presence of Murrumbidgee Landcare and Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists was much appreciated, as always.
The success of the event is thanks to Greening Australia and Riverina Local Land Services who provided funding, materials and expertise to support NSW Department of Industry – Lands & Forestry, in coordinating the day.
With some follow up weed control and watering, hopefully the trees planted will grow to be a wonderful, ecologically productive legacy of National Tree Day 2017 and all the amazing volunteers who worked hard made it happen.
Photos of the day and more information about Fivebough Wetlands are available on the Facebook page and website (fiveboughwetlands.org.au)
Bec Byrne - Natural Resource Management Project Officer
A few additions from MFN….
The area where the plantings took place was on the western side; adjacent to the track (extension of Gibbs Road. It is accessible from the Petersham Road entrance by turning left after crossing the foot bridge and walking a short distance along this track. The species planted were Some grasses will also be planted nearby. The Field Naturalists had a table displaying the Club banner and various leaflets, our Flora book and newsletters. There was quite a bit of interest and the members there (Eric, Rowena, Penny & Alan) were able to talk with many of the participants; some families with young children.
Bec did a wonderful job with her helpers she has mentioned. We were certainly well fed and with the recent rain we hope the trees are off to a good start.
Rowena Whiting
