Funding for Geraldton-based Active Community Environmentalists for revegetation project

8/12/99
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today presented a cheque for $22,600 to the Geraldton-based Active Community Environmentalists (ACE) for their East Yuna Seed Orchard Revegetation Project.
Mrs Edwardes said the project had been funded by the Natural Heritage Trust's Bushcare program in the 1999-2000 round of funding. This year, the Bushcare program in Western Australia received nearly $10 million for new and continuing projects.
Visiting the Mid-West today, the Minister said the project would complete the establishment of a 122ha seed orchard next to the East Yuna Nature Reserve.
"This revegetation will provide a buffer for existing vegetation, increase wildlife habitat and fill in a gap to provide a continuous vegetated link between the East Yuna Nature Reserve, an unnamed nature reserve and associated private remnant vegetation adjoining the reserves," Mrs Edwardes said.
"Already partly established, the seed orchard is located on private land owned by local identity Mrs Jean McGauran, who has already bequeathed over 700ha of pristine native vegetation to the Department of Conservation and Land Management for its establishment as nature reserve."
Mrs Edwardes said the revegetation work undertaken by ACE in this project would help establish a continuous native vegetation corridor of approximately 2700ha. The project would also establish an important seed resource for the local community to use in further revegetation activities within the region.
"The seed orchard will be extensively promoted to increase awareness and appreciation of natural vegetation in sustainable farming systems," the Minister said.
"The project aims to plant 20,000 seedlings over a 10ha area to complete necessary tree cover at the site. The project will also revegetate 122ha of recharge zone."
Local Bushcare and CALM officers are working closely with ACE and the local community to ensure best management of the site. Since the successful announcement of the project, Bushcare has held a training day focusing on best practice techniques for native seed collection, handling and storage.
Greenough MLA Kevin Minson welcomed the grant.
"Direct financial support for community groups is one way to ensure landcare programs are effective," he said.
"It enables community-based projects to be integrated into overall strategies, such as the State Government's Salinity Action Plan, to restore biological diversity and combat land and water degradation."

Media contact: Carole Cowling 9421 7777