By Derek Schlennstedt
This weekend on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May a Yarra 4 Life program will see 20,000 local indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses planted at Corranderk.
The planting is part of the Yarra4life program that focuses on creating and extending habitat for the helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum.
Tony D’Abbs organiser of the event said the importance of revegetating this area was paramount to the survival of endangered species such as the helmeted honeyeater and the Leadbeater’s possum.
“It is very important because the habitat is limited and it’s disjointed, and so the initiative is to expand and also link the habitat,” and the sanctuary is the lead agency on the project.
“We received funding to plant 25,000 indigenous trees and shrubs which will help extend and provide habitat for the helmeted honeyeater and the Leadbeater’s possum, and we’re not there to exploit the land but to work with the land,” Mr D’Abbs said.
Everyone and anyone is welcome to come along on the day and get involved.
Yarra4Life is a collaborative environmental program that aims to improve the quality of land, water and natural habitat in the Yarra Valley and to help protect and enhance the survival of native species in the region.
The funding comes from a $108,000 National Landcare Program grant in November 2015 and focuses on seeing the former Coranderrk Aboriginal Station returned to a well-managed working property.
Mr D’Abbs invited everyone and anyone to come along and get involved in the planting.
“Everyone can come along on the day and help out, it’s open to anyone, and you can just turn up on the day,” he said.
The planting will take place on Saturday 6, and Sunday 7 May at Coranderrk, 19 Barak Lane, Healesville, begining at 9.30am and running until 3.30pm each day- attendees can choose how many hours they are able to do.
There will be another opportunity to plant for a cause on Sunday 21 May when Mount Toolbewong and District Landcare has its annual Mother’s Day Plant Out revegetating land along Badger Creek, just upstream from Healesville Sanctuary.
RSVP to Karen at toolebewonglandcare@gmail.com .
