Arbor Day provides focus for conservation efforts: Minister

7/6/02
Environment and Heritage Minister Judy Edwards today helped students plant almost 4,000 seedlings in Chittering Lakes Nature Reserve as part of Arbor Day celebrations around the State.
The Minister said Arbor Day was a significant event on the environmental calendar and helped educate young Western Australians on the importance of trees in our everyday lives.
"Arbor Day has been celebrated for more than 100 years in WA and helps us recognise the many benefits of trees," she said.
"Trees also play a vital role in community life and bringing people together whether it be at a local park, nature reserve or National Park.
"Today's planting of seedlings in Chittering Lakes Nature Reserve highlights the very important role conservation and recreation reserves have.
"The reserve, which includes Chittering Lake to the south and Lake Needoonga to the north, is managed primarily for conservation and passive recreation.
"It is an excellent example of integrating recreation with conservation. Residents and tourists alike use the reserve for many varied reasons from bird-watching and bush-walking to canoeing."
Dr Edwards said the plantings were aimed at infilling areas along the edge of the lake to enhance habitat values and reduce the edge effect on the reserve from private property.
"Six sites totalling two hectares were planted with native species seedlings including Broom Honeymyrtle, Swamp Paperbark, Swamp Sheoak, Pingle, Orange Wattle and Flodded Gum," she said.
"This planting project is only one of a number of projects by the Department of Conservation and Land Management in the area."
Other projects in the Shire of Chittering include:

• the supply of fencing material to local landowners to fence off areas of Chittering Lakes Nature Reserve;
  
• the revegetation of six hectares of private property in partnership with landowners, adjacent to the proposed Julimar Conservation Park to address waterlogging issues;
  
• direct seeding to rehabilitate three hectares of disused gravel pit in the proposed Julimar Conservation Park;
  
• the revegetation of a degraded site in the proposed Julimar Conservation Park involving a local community group; and
  
• the involvement of the Land for Wildlife scheme in helping the local Landcare District Committee apply for the National Enviro-funds.

Dr Edwards said much of this work was done in co-operation and partnership with the local community.
"It is an important aspect and one that is particularly worthy especially during Arbor Day celebrations," she said.
Minister's office: 9220 5050