Community nursery volunteers celebrate National Volunteer Week
Native plant nursery volunteers from Townsville and Ayr celebrated National Volunteer Week by visiting the Whitsunday Landcare Nursery in Proserpine to exchange nursery management knowledge, including skills around raising native plants from seeds.
The visit was hosted by the NQ Dry Tropics Strengthening Communities project, funded through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
“Volunteering contributes so much to society, the economy, and the environment,” Project Officer Thijs Krugers said.
“This trip is a great way for NQ Dry Tropics to thank volunteers from the Townsville and Ayr region.”
Participants shared nursery management knowledge and skills, including seed sourcing and storage, preparing a soil mixture to raise seeds, appropriate watering regimes, weed suppression, and sales to other organisations and the public.
Whitsunday Landcare Manager Cath Campbell said it was important for environmental groups to have the opportunity to meet and share knowledge and skills.
“There are five community-led native plant nurseries in our region, and they are a critical source of heritage species which can be extremely rewarding in a home garden,” Ms Campbell said.
“They are a great way for newcomers to the area to learn what grows well in their gardens.
“These nurseries always welcome a helping hand or support through plant sales, she said”
Lower Burdekin Landcare nursery manager Peter Thomas said his group plans to establish a new nursery and the visit gave them great inspiration.
There are more than 50 environmental community organisations in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region, each supported by volunteers.
The recent census revealed Australians volunteer more than 900 million hours each year, which boosts the economy by as much as $290 billion.
Revegetation projects depend on volunteers to harvest local seed and to raise stock to restore degraded areas of bush.
Contact:
Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc (Townsville)
http://www.cdtli.org.au/
Thompson street, Mundingburra, Queensland
Open Friday morning 800-1400
0428 428 542
office@cdtli.org.au
Lower Burdekin Landcare Association (Ayr)
http://www.lowerburdekinlandcare.org.au/
Kennedy Street, Ayr, Queensland
8.30 am-15.30 am Every Wednesday
9 am-11.30 am on the 1st Saturday morning of each month
(07) 4783 4344
secretary@lowerburdekinlandcare.org.au
Conservation Volunteers Australia (Townsville)
http://conservationvolunteers.com.au/contact-us/office-locations/queensland/townsville/
Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre
56 Cape Pallarenda Road, Rowes Bay
(07) 4774 1693
Open Friday morning 0800-1400
townsville@cva.com.au
Girringun (Cardwell)
http://girringun.com.au/
235 Victoria street Cardwell Qld 4849
Open Monday to Thursday 0900-1600
07 4066 8300
bio@girringun.com.au
Whitsunday Catchment Landcare (Proserpine)
Community Native Tree Nursery
Kelsey Creek Road, Proserpine
Open Tuesday & Thursday morning 0900-1200
And the first Saturday of each month 0900-1200
0408 187 944
coordinator@whitsundaylandcare.org.au
Main Photo– Graham Armstrong (Whitsunday Catchment Landcare) and Peter Thomas (Lower Burdekin Landcare Nursery Manager).