Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
Local residents have planted more than 2000 native tree species across Avenue Range to help rejuvenate land affected by the Blackford fire.
Titled ‘green is the new black’, the revitalisation project has been organised by the newly-formed Avenue Tree Group.
Group convener Abigail Goodman said the initiative played an important role in bushfire recovery.
“There were so many trees burnt and lost as part of the [Blackford] fire,” Dr Goodman said.
“Some will regenerate and some won’t, so a lot of the tree lines we are replanting are important to replace because they provide shade and shelter for livestock.”
In January this year, the Blackford fire burnt through more than 14,000 hectares of land throughout Lucindale and Avenue Range.
Dr Goodman said restoring the area’s lush surroundings could have a positive effect on community well-being.
“Trees just make people feel good,” she said. “I think people recognise that trees are a really important part of our landscape.”
The project is a partnership with Landcare SA and Trees for Life who both helped source the native species and tree guards for planting.
All seedlings were grown and donated by Landcare SA members, community groups, or local producers.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board (LCLB) also donated more than $9000 towards the initiative through its Grassroots Grants program.
Dr Goodman said these funds meant individual holes could be drilled prior to tree planting an “integral” part of ensuring seedling survival.
“It loosens up the soil so the plants can get started well,” she said. “By scooping out the top few centimetres, where the weeds sit, it also gives the tree a basin which is great for watering when things dry up in summer.”
The LCLB grant also allowed Avenue Tree Group to pay $1 per tree planted to members of community groups who assisted with the project.
On August 8, more than 30 members from Lucindale Netball Club and Lucindale Football Club helped with the planting project.
“There hasn’t been a whole lot of opportunities for fundraising locally since COVID-19,” Dr Goodman said. “So we made the day into a fundraiser.”
Lucindale Area School and other smaller groups will be holding further planting days in future weeks.
Dr Goodman said more than 5000 trees would have been planted in fire-affected areas upon the project’s conclusion.
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 25 August 2021.
