PIONEER Reserve in Kongwak will see new growth as the next generation of little Land Carers will be planting trees there for the National Schools Tree Day this July.
The day falls on Friday July 28, prior to Planet Arks National Tree Day, and The Kongwak Hills Landcare Group are working with the Kongwak Primary School, who run a Sustainable Kongwak class.
“We’re tapping into that and just taking them out for some real-world experience,” Grace Couchman, Site Organiser said.
The Pioneer Reserve is located behind the school, so the children feel a connection to it.
“They’re going to learn about propagation and they’re going to plant some trees and then next year they’re going to collect seeds and other plants, and they’re going to start a sustainable replanting every year with their teacher.”
Planet Arc has provided funding for 2000 plants and the Wonthaggi Seed Bank and Nursery have provided the Indigenous plants which are native to the area. Plants of different varieties and heights will provide new habitat for animals and birds.
The Kongwak community will come together on the Saturday to finish planting the rest of the trees. The Reserve is a public space that people can wander through, take photographs of the flora and fauna and spot local wildlife.
The Kongwak Hills Landcare Group would like members of the community to come along and also use the planting day as an opportunity to meet with old and new neighbours.
“We’re going to restock the undergrowth there and put in a bit of over story as well. There are some parts of the reserve that have struggled over the last few years and there’s part of it that needs a bit of love.”
The community planting day will take place in the Reserve, on Saturday July 29, 10-4pm. A bush tucker lunch will be provided and has been funded by the South Gippsland Council.
RSVP for catering purposes to kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com or https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10027731.
