An 80-hectare wildlife corridor in the Kinglake National Park that was destroyed in the Black Saturday fires in 2009 is being rejuvenated by an army of ‘green’ volunteers.
The group is part of the federal government’s Green Army initiative, an environmental action program supporting conservation projects across Australia.
For the past six months, the volunteers have been working with Parks Victoria at the Watsons Creek Habitat Link.
The link is an important corridor for animals such as the endangered brush tailed phascogale. Once restored, the link will connect the Warrandyte State Park and Kinglake National Park.
The volunteers’ work has included planting more than 150 trees and plants, erecting temporary deer-proof fencing to protect about 2000 plant species from deer, construction of a two-kilometre walking track, and monitoring local wildlife such as wallabies, kangaroos and wombats using remote cameras.
Parks Victoria ranger Tony Fitzgerald said the park was now a better place because of the volunteers.
“This partnership is a great one as not only does the park and surrounding environment benefit; so, too, do park visitors, while the trainees themselves gain valuable experience.”
To volunteer for the Green Army initiative, call 13 19 63.
