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Landcare groups take action for World Environment Day

Landcare groups around SA worked together to put on events for World Environment Day on the 5th June.

The Upper Torrens Landcare Group partnered with Conservation Volunteers Australia, 1300KOALAZ and local Lobethal land owners Hazel and Mick Grigg for a Corporate Challenge on Friday 4th June. Employees from Pinod Ricard, Tabcorp and logistics company Kuehne and Nagel used their community volunteer days to take part.

The Griggs had only moved into their Lobethal property 3 days before the December 2019 – Jan 2020 Black Summer bushfires struck. Their fire plan was to leave early, and it was 3 days before they got news that the CFS crews valiant efforts had saved their house, although they lost fences, sheds and equipment, as well as large areas of koala habitat.

Undeterred, they decided that they needed to revegetate to heal the scars left on the landscape by the bushfires. They fenced off a paddock on their 30 acre holding and the volunteers set to work planting a range of species, particularly Eucalyptus viminalis, a food source for koalas. The plants for the project were grown by Clayton Bay Nursery, another LASA member group.

The three companies went head to head in light hearted competition to see who could plant the most trees. The groups were scored for quality as well as quantity, and had to complete a quiz developed by CVA project coordinator Mel Crouch. Over a lunch, scores were added up, with Pernod Ricard taking out bragging rights! Thanks must go to Hazel and Mick, Mel Crouch of CVA, 1300KOALAZ (the Adelaide Hills’ most experienced Koala Rescue group) and Kim Thompson and Steve Anderson of Upper Torrens Landcare Group for making the day possible.