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MEDIA RELEASE

Help us create a Forest!

Pinkerton Landcare & Environment Group

Friday 22nd May 1-4pm and Saturday 23rd May 9.00 am-12.00 noon.

Pinkerton Landcare & Environment Group invite the community to help create a new forest!

This ambitious & innovative project by Western Water & Pinkerton Landcare & Environment Group, began in 2011. It aims to create a forest on a once bare twelve hectare paddock between Pinkerton Forest and Bush’s Paddock.

 

Pinkerton Forest is a remnant Plains Woodland approximately 35 hectares in size, owned by Western Water. Bush’s Paddock is a Melton Shire Council owned reserve located north of Pinkerton Forest. Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains have been listed as critically endangered. Significant fauna species have been recorded at both these sites.

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Pinkerton Forest and Bush’s Paddock are remnants of pre-European settlement and provide habitat for a host of indigenous fauna species. Within a five kilometre radius, a total of 380 hectares of grassy eucalypt woodlands exist in four fragmented patches creating a hotspot for this type of vegetation community. Pinkerton Forest and Bush’s Paddock are examples of fragmented vegetation or habitat islands. Animals in an 'island' situation are vulnerable to catastrophes such as disease, bushfire and gradual changes like inbreeding and variations in climate.

Western Water and Pinkerton Landcare & Environment Group are planting a Grassy Woodland, creating a wildlife habitat corridor between Pinkerton Forest & Bush’s Paddock. The Pinkerton Link project will connect these two woodland remnants, creating a wildlife corridor. The habitat corridor will provide native wildlife with a larger habitat area, increased available food supply & promote healthier & larger populations. The link will also create a greater likelihood of sustaining populations which undergo any fluctuations or catastrophes.

Many of the Grey Box trees planted in 2011 are already over 2 metres tall! We will be planting understory species. Native grasses and shrubs will be planted. The grasses will provide seed for the birds and the shrubs will provide perfect places to build nests!

No need to waste time digging holes.  Holes will be drilled by a contractor prior to the planting day!

This will also give the community an opportunity to see how the Pinkerton Link forest project has progressed since 2011!

Where else will you have the opportunity to ‘create a forest from nothing’!

Meet at Mt Cottrell Road.
From Melton, turn south (right) from Greigs Road into Mt Cottrell Road.
Look for the Landcare sign at the gate.
Melway Map 221 Ref H8

Friday 22nd May 1.00 – 4.00
site preparation & some planting

Saturday 23rd May 9.00 – 12.00  
main planting.