A big thank you to our volunteers and supporters in 2022
Our volunteers make a huge difference to the amount and scale of work we are able to achieve here at NGT. As we work across a large geographical area of Australia, our volunteers are involved in a diverse range of tasks with us. With the help of good humoured, knowledgeable, and generous people, here is just a small snapshot of what you have helped us achieve this year!
- A most rewarding school program connecting Good Shepherd College, Hamilton Parklands School and NGT volunteers to Walker Swamp, resulting in the publication of the Walker Swamp Wetland Field Guide;
- Construction of herbivore-proof fencing at Walker Swamp to protect revegetation plantings within 5.4 hectares;
- Planting of approximately 1800 seedlings at Walker Swamp thanks to a partnership with University of Melbourne;
- A collaboration with the Friends of Forgotten Woodlands who grew plants from seed from ancient trees and planted the seedlings back into NGT’s Walker Swamp and Long Point;
- Celebrations of NGT’s 10th anniversary year around our focal region from the Fleurieu Peninsula and Eaglehawk Waterhole in SA, and Walker Swamp and Mt Vandyke in Victoria;
- We’ve hosted local school groups studying everything from water bugs to water birds to soil pH;
- Deconstruction of old agricultural fencing and stockyards at Mt Vandyke in preparation for construction of the property’s predator-proof fence;
- Just in the month of November, 2097 seedlings were pricked out in our native plant nursery;
- More than 600 volunteer hours were spent at the nursery, sowing, weeding, repotting seedlings, and processing cuttings and seed;
- Continued revegetation efforts at Hutt Bay and Mt Burr Swamp;
- Weeding and tree guard removal at the Creation Stories Walk, Mt Burr Swamp;
- Revamped native gardens at Warwar Blue Lake, Mt Gambier;
- Field assistance during fauna surveys at various locations;
- Ongoing breeding and translocation program assistance for the endangered Southern Bell Frog (aka Growling Grass Frog), in Clayton Bay, SA;
- Assistance with wetland restoration structures in SA and Victoria;
- Enhancement of small mammal habitat through weed control at Nelson, Victoria; and
- Remote fauna monitoring in the Grampians.
In addition to those people who can physically get out and get their hands dirty with us, we’d also like to acknowledge our supporters who have contributed in other ways. This year we have had invaluable support in the form of secondhand fencing materials, the use of borrowed machinery and equipment, sharing of expert knowledge, and of course generous financial support.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year. We have loved working with you, and truly appreciate and acknowledge the time and resources you have given to help with our projects. We look forward to seeing you out in the bush sometime soon!
