This Landcare Week, we are celebrating the work of Goonellabah Tucki Landcare.
The group is restoring 10 hectares of creek-side land. The site is along Upper Tucki Creek in Lismore, New South Wales.
The Australian Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments Program funds the project.
Community members are transforming weed-infested creek-side land into native subtropical rainforest. The work is improving habitat for native wildlife, including the platypus. It is also supporting Macadamia tetraphylla, a vulnerable native rainforest tree.
The project had 2 main goals:
- remove invasive weeds
- plant 16,000 locally native rainforest plants.
The community has already exceeded that target. Volunteers have planted more than 28,000 plants, with over 18,000 of these grown by the volunteers.
Community members have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours. Local schools have helped with mulching. Volunteers continue to collect seed and propagate native plants.
Recently the group held a community open day. The event celebrated the project's progress.
After 18 months, the work is already delivering benefits:
- restoring native rainforest habitat
- stabilising creek banks
- improving water quality
- improving habitat for native plants and animals.
The project shows how community action can restore and protect local waterways.
Get involved this Landcare Week
This year's Landcare Week theme is Experience Landcare.
People are encouraged to join their local Landcare group.
Landcare groups across Australia:
- plant native vegetation
- remove invasive weeds
- restore waterways
- create habitat for native wildlife.
