“What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet.”
– Sir David Attenborough
On Wednesday, October 23, both Barham and Deniliquin High School students attended Barham Lakes to complete revegetation work.
Almost 200 terrestrial plants grown at Tulla Natives and many aquatic species transferred from within the local area were planted, assisted by Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG), Traditional Owners from the Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deniliquin Landcare and volunteers.
Students from Year 8 at Barham High School and from Year 10 at Deniliquin High School worked hard to plant, mulch, guard and water the plants, which included ground cover Eremophila and native tussock grass. Aquatic plants such as water ribbon, water primrose, milfoil and rush were transferred as all-important emergent and submerged vegetation for fish habitat.
WMLIG, in collaboration with the North Central Catchment Management Authority and funded by the Tri-State Alliance, have established a small-bodied fish nursery at Barham Lakes. This project focuses on Lake 3, which was restocked earlier this year with Purple Spotted Gudgeon, a threatened small-bodied fish species local to the area. Additional threatened species will be released into the nursery once vegetation cover is adequate. As these fish mature, they will be introduced into the Edward-Wakool system, contributing to the health and diversity of the ecosystem.
WMLIG would like to express their gratitude to cluBarham for their assistance with the planting project, and Deniliquin Landcare for the generous donation of the terrestrial plants. WMLIG would also like to recognise Murray Local Land Services for the donation of tree guards, Moama Local Area Land Council, school staff, Deniliquin and Barham Landcare personnel, volunteer Roseanne Farrant, and Damien Jones for donating mulch.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 31 October 2024.
