By Callum Ludwig
Residents are welcome to make their way to McMahons Creek on Sunday 25 June for a community planting day hosted by Upper Yarra Landcare.
Attendees will meet at the water tank in front of the Reefton Hotel at 9.30am, ready to help out in boosting the number of native plants in the area.
Secretary of Upper Yarra Landcare Tom Day said they will be planting 500 native trees and understory plants along McMahons Creek, starting near the Reefton Hotel and moving further upstream.
“The plants have been grown from seed that was collected from the area as part of a collaboration with ECOSS and will improve biodiversity and water quality in both McMahons Creek and the Yarra River,” he said.
“This area is also a crucial habitat for platypus and other native species.”
While everyone gathers, a free morning tea will be provided with planting expected to start by 10am.
Mr Day said regeneration and restoration of cleared land is a great way to restore balance with native flora and fauna.
“There are many benefits that come from planting, including carbon sequestration, improving our waterways, restoring habitat for our threatened species and it’s a great way to get some incidental exercise,” he said.
“If you’ve been thinking of getting involved with some local community groups, now is an excellent time to get involved. It’s great for the environment, it’s good exercise and it does wonders for your mental health.”
Attendees should bring their own mug, gloves and a mattock if they have one. The group aims to finish by 11.45am and children who are participating must be accompanied by an adult.
Mr Day said he thinks people gravitate to the Upper Yarra for the unspoken feeling you get from being surrounded by such beautiful landscapes.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to give back to an area that offers us such a special place to live,” he said.
“As tourism increases and more people come to visit the valley, it’s more important than ever to help maintain the forests, creeks and rivers around us.”
Attendees are asked to RSVP to upperyarralandcare@gmail.com by Friday 23 June for catering purposes and are also welcome to express an interest in joining the Upper Yarra Landcare group if they’d like.
