Sharing knowledge to manage changing climate

Published on 28 February 2020

Residents wanting to learn about climate change adaptation and Aboriginal culture are encouraged to attend a special event at Apex Park, First Reedy Lake next month.

Barapa Land & Water Environment Land Management Services is hosting Making Steps for Climate Change, a free community family-friendly event on Friday, 13 March and Saturday, 14 March from 10am to 2pm.

Activities on both days will enable participants to discover more about local environmental changes that have occurred over the years and how they can adapt.

“Climate change is a topical issue at the moment, especially following the bushfires that have impacted communities throughout eastern Australia during the past few months,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“Barapa Land & Water Environment Land Management Services invites residents to come along to hear how our local Aboriginal Traditional Owners adapt to a changing climate and chat with other local and region experts. ”

Proceedings will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, with additional Aboriginal education activities, including weaving workshops with Aunty Marilyne Nicholls and cultural games, to occur.

“Barapa Land & Water Environment Land Management Services has spent the past few months developing a Community Forest Garden, with this event the community’s first chance to explore this area,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Attendees will have a chance to plant a tree on either of the days, building on the efforts to be undertaken by local schoolchildren on the Friday.

“There will also be plenty of other activities on offer on the day for all ages, including kayaking on First Reedy Lake, native wildlife identification sessions and the tree planting.”

The Barapa Land & Water Environment Land Management Services event is part of a revegetation project funded by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Community Climate Change Adaption (3CA) grants. The project is also supported by Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners, Kilter Rural, Gannawarra Shire Council, North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Kerang Wetlands Group.

For more information and a timetable of activities, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/climate or the Barapa Land & Water Facebook page.