The annual Grow West Community Planting Day is just around the corner and, this year, the planting day on Sunday July 19 will celebrate the ongoing contribution the local community and Grow West partners are making to the local environment.
Grow West is a recognised restoration project that evolved to address the degraded land in and around the Bacchus Marsh and Ballan areas. Its long term goal is to restore ecological health and productivity to 10,000 hectares of land in the area.
The Grow West Community Planting Day is in its fourth year and is the most significant single annual event for Grow West. Over the past two years over 7,500 trees have been planted during the community day alone and the goal for this year’s event is to plant up to 5000 trees – a massive milestone for one day.
The project is led by the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, and the authority is proud to be the custodian of a project that is driven by landholders, the implementation committee, the community and partners such as the Victorian National Parks Association, Conservation Volunteers Australia and groups like Friends of Werribee Gorge and Long Forest Mallee.
Grow West Committee Chairman and local landholder John Cutler says “Like all good ideas, Grow West came from a need in the community to make properties in and around Bacchus Marsh healthy and productive…and through the work of the community, and help from authorities like DPI and the CMA, Grow West was born.
“The Grow West Community Planting Day is our most visible example of the community getting behind a project to achieve something great on the ground. It has now been going for four years, and this is the second year we’ve planted on the W. James Whyte Island Reserve (managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia).
“This planting will not only revegetate the slopes near Myrniong Creek but will also enhance vegetation corridors linking Werribee Gorge State Park with isolated remnants in the area and help rehabilitate stretches of the Werribee River. “
BOB REID
Bob Reid from the Friends of Werribee Gorge & Long Forest Mallee group agrees and says the planting day has broader implications for wildlife in the region.
“The Grow West Planting Day will improve the viability of the biodiversity of Werribee Gorge State Park. We hope it will increase the habitat for indigenous plant species and native fauna. The Island is in a unique position because it bridges the Myrniong Creek and the Werribee River and research undertaken (by Marilyn Hewish) indicates these streams are important corridors for bird movement. This has become more important as our ecosystems feel the effect of lower rainfall and warmer temperatures.
“The Grow West Planting Day site is a dramatic one. It faces north from 'The Island' overlooking Myrniong Creek. Directly below the site is a fascinating volcanic dam where lava from Mt Blackwood blocked the creek about 3 million years ago…and at the end of the day its an amazing achievement to look up the hill and see a couple of thousand seedlings in the ground .”
TREVOR PROWD
Grow West Works Facilitator Trevor Prowd says contributions from partners like John Cutler and Bob Reid, as well as corporate supporters, are the essence of Grow West’s success. “Grow West really is a community project. It relies on a tireless contribution from staff, partner organisations and volunteers alike.
“The Community Planting Day is just one of many areas planted within the Grow West project. Since 2003, over 1500 hectares have been revegetated in the Upper Werribee Catchment, which equates to over 1.5 million seedlings planted. It’s an incredible testament to Grow West’s volunteer army and being part of that achievement is a great feeling.
“This year eTree (a Computershare program) has again joined the event, adding to our ever-growing Grow West community. Over the next two years Grow West will utilise eTree sponsorship to transform 35 hectares of degraded land in the Rowsley Valley and planting of 35,000 native trees and shrubs and establishing the ‘Werribee Catchment eTree Seed Bank’. They are a welcome additional to our day.”
The Grow West Planting Day is on Sunday 19 July. The day at 9.30am and lunch is included. If you are interested to take part, you can join us on the day. Please contact Trevor Prowd on 9218 5615.
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