The Clare Valley is a vibrant rural community where livelihoods are underpinned by agriculture (grazing, viticulture and broadacre crops). Inspiring the next generation of farmers to enhance biodiversity for improved ecosystem services in our farming landscapes will keep our farmers farming for generations to come.
Over National Tree Day 2024 (24 – 28 July), three schools (>100 students) teamed up with three farmers, and volunteers from other organisations to learn about sustainable agriculture and nature repair by helping farmers to revegetate patches of their land.
On each of the three days of planting, students visited three different paddock sites that farmers had fenced off and designated for revegetation. The Arborgreen team helped supply the students with tree guards, planting tools, and stakes to get their native plants in the ground. As well as providing the tools for planting, perhaps more importantly, the team provided the students with essential knowledge on the basics of tree planting to increase survival rates. The students were reminded to ensure they firmly packed the soil around the new plant – preventing any air pockets that would harm the plants’ growth.
It was certainly a windy day as we kicked off the Biodiversity Blitz. Fifty students from Blyth Primary School joined in on the day to plant 500 native plants and trees.
With such gusty conditions, it was especially important to correctly install tree guards to protect the plants and prevent them from blowing away!
With another 500 trees and plants ready to go in the ground the 24 students from Watervale Primary had their work cut out for them! They did an amazing job planting and protecting so many trees. The students were excited to learn that by planting trees in the paddock they would be creating shade and protection for live-stock, as well as increasing the biodiversity of the area.
On the final day of planting there was a massive 950 trees and plants waiting for students from St Joseph’s School. The 50 students worked tirelessly to get all those plants in the ground – and luckily got to enjoy some sunshine as well.
The students learnt about the difference between difference types of tree guards – comparing the long-life span of plastic tree guards with the more environmentally friendly biodegradable guards.
The 2024 Clare Valley Biodiversity Blitz was designed and coordinated by Sarah Castine of Three Corners Consulting. Delivery and funding partners include Arborgreen, Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Landcare Association of SA, John Fargher of Yundi Nature Conservancy, National Tree Day’s Seedling Bank, Trees for Life and Van Schaik’s Bio Gro. Farming partners are Alexanda and Kate Wood, Mt Rufus Proprietors and Sarah Castine. School partners are St Joseph’s School Clare, Watervale Primary School, and Blyth Primary School.
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