Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) have farewelled their first Green Army Team after 20 weeks of work in the Parkes and Forbes Shire Council areas.
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The team consisted of six participants between the ages of 17 and 24 years, overseen by Team Supervisor, Guy Bennett.
The Green Army is a hands-on, practical environmental action program that supports local environmental and heritage conservation projects across Australia.
It is an Australian Government initiative for young Australians aged 17–24 years who are interested in protecting their local environment.
The participants obtained Work Health Safety, First Aid and other training as well as working on several projects including the tree lines at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Forbes, two planting projects on Condobolin Road and PAC Park in Parkes along with other smaller planting projects.
“All of these projects have a focus on maintaining and improving biodiversity in our local area,” Margot Jolly (CWLL Chair) said.
Marg Applebee (CWLL Co-ordinator) said the seasonal conditions have provided an interesting challenge for the team.
“They have done really well to make the most of the opportunities we have had,” Marg said.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Skillset to provide work experience opportunities to young people in our community.
“We hope this is the beginning of some new opportunities for our participants and CWLL hope they will be able to build on the skills obtained over the last 20 weeks to pursue further employment.”
The focus of the project has been working on increasing the biodiversity and connecting Box Gum Grassy Woodlands.
These woodlands are listed as Endangered Ecological Communities under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, so provide an excellent opportunity to work on connecting woodland areas and corridors to increase habitat for native species.
“The group haven’t just been planting trees,” Margot said.
“They have also been learning to identify, collect and grow local seed, learning how to work as a team and gain experience that will provide a platform to future work opportunities now they have left the program.”
CWLL will be working with Skillset again to undertake more projects with a second team in mid-January 2017 and we are keen to hear from local landholders who might be willing to work with CWLL to undertake projects that would be suitable for the Green Army Team.
“I would encourage interested parties to contact our Landcare Office on 02 6862 4914 and speak with Marg Applebee,” Margot said.