Celebrations put spring in Landcarers’ step

The first week of September is National Landcare Week and the shire’s dedicated volunteers joined in the celebrations at a range of activities over the week.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Landcare without a bit of hard graft, and with their usual aplomb some of our Landcarers met by the Moruya river to plant a swathe of trees along the riverbank before chowing down on some celebratory cake.

Eurobodalla Landcare coordinator Emma Patyus said tree planting was just one of this week’s activities.

“We also had a beach clean up, nestbox installations and some much needed weed control,” Emma said.

These sorts of environmental projects, from the coast to remote inland Australia, rely on volunteers. Emma said Landcare was a great way for people to meet, stay fit and healthy, and make a difference in the community while doing something significant to help the planet.

“Eurobodalla Landcare only exists thanks to the massive contribution of our volunteer members,” she said.

“All 300 plus of them!

“We have 23 Landcare groups working across a diverse array of landscapes and projects. Last financial year that added up to more than 9,000 hours in local Landcare activities.

“That contribution that can’t be overestimated – it helps our community, our environment and also stimulates our local economy.”

Emma says the perception of Landcarers as tree-hugging hippies is long gone.

“We are a vital and viable group, and continually leverage considerable funding off the back of volunteer effort to help manage, enhance and protect our natural areas,” she said, “with funding used to employ local contractors and service providers”.

“It’s awesome to be part of this dynamic movement and working with these progressive, knowledgeable and passionate people. Thankyou Landcarers for making a difference to ‘our patch’. “

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