Busy few months ahead at Central West Lachlan Landcare with workshops and planting events. We are thrilled to be receiving $3,000 from Northparkes Mine (NPM) to undertake work at the PAC Park Waterwise Garden.

This garden was established nearly 20 years ago, with the support of Landcare, NPM, Parkes Shire Council and what was then the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

Funding will cover the cost of plants, soil, watering system and mulch and we can’t wait to get in and clean this area up. Obviously, we will be looking closely at the long term sustainability of the garden.

The Green Army team have undertaken a couple of clean ups in the area, but no funds were available to undertake any substantial work. 

When we held our Motley Crew planting mornings last year, many people were encouraging us to pursue work at the Waterwise Garden and were keen to be involved, so we will be ‘getting the band back together’ so to speak and commencing work there in the months ahead. There are many plants that have survived and thrived from the initial plantings, but due to vandalism and neglect, the area badly needs some attention.

We will keep you posted when we have received the funding, finalised our plan and are ready for planting. If you are interested in being involved in the community event, please let me know and I will keep you in our email loop.

The Lachlan Valley Branch of the National Parks Association are holding an evening with Michael and Sarah Guppy on May 31 at 7pm. Our local NPA group have members across the Parkes and Forbes Shires and run regular walks in nearby national parks and reserves.

We welcome Michael and Sarah, who have over 40 years of experience in surveying birds. We will be enjoying a delicious light supper and a cuppa as well, so RSVP is essential. Please contact me, details below.

The NPA’s next walk will be to Black Range on Saturday, June 3. Walkers are asked to meet opposite the Bogan Gate Hotel at 9am.

This is a medium, 6km walk. Please contact Peter Cannon the evening before the walk to confirm your attendance, on 6866 1225. 

Walkers are asked to bring enough food and water for the day, as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hat and sunscreen. A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair (so you can relax and have a cuppa) are recommended.

Other event in June include Soil Pits and Kits day, which is being held at Cookamidgera on June 23 from 9am. 

The day will have a focus on: soil chemistry, looking at salinity, acidity and nutrients; soil physical characteristics, including structure, erosion; soil testing and management techniques. I will have more information on this workshop next week.

Visit centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or go to our facebook page. 

Until next week, happy Landcaring!