HELPING HAND FOR INDIGENOUS NURSERY

The Cardinia Environment Coalition’s (CEC) Indigenous Nursery has been keeping up with demand for native seedlings for Landcare projects across the region despite being without a home for its nursery now for several months.

ECG’s McMillan campus at Warragul has stepped in to provide greenhouse and nursery facilities to ensure the group’s continued operations in supporting land care groups across the region

The CEC, based in Pakenham, is a not for profit umbrella group comprising 31 local friends, Land care and conservation groups across the central Western Port and Southern Yarra Ranges catchments. Over the past four years it has supplied some 100,000 native trees and shrubs for re-vegetation projects.

CEC Indigenous Nursery Manager, Adele Richardson, said the indigenous nursery was currently being relocated to another site in Tynong which has been delayed due to construction and drainage issues.

“Without the support of the ECG, our ability to continue to propagate tube stock for re-vegetation and conservation projects would have been severely disrupted.”

She said ECG’s Horticulture students had assisted setting up irrigation systems at the Warragul campus to assist CEC staff’s growing operations.

“The nursery operation relies heavily on volunteers assisting staff so every ounce of support is greatly appreciated.”

ECG head of Rural Studies at McMillan, Babis Lagos, said the presence of the CEC on campus exposes students to the operations of an indigenous plant nursery.

“The partnership paves the way for students to increase their knowledge in this field and may provide opportunities for students to undertake work experience with the CEC in the future.”

He said ECG is interested in strengthening partnerships with agriculture and horticulture industries across the region.

“The McMillan campus is the major provider of rural studies programs this side of Melbourne. ECG is seeking to increase research activities at the campus offering opportunities for local business and industries to tap into as well as develop programs to meet specific industry needs to address skills shortages, “he said.

Horticulture and agriculture students also benefit from industry partnerships through work placement and experience,” Mr Lagos said.

To find out more about ECG’s McMillan campus, visit the website at www.ecg.vic.edu.au or phone 03 5622 6000.

*The Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) is based in Pakenham and can be contacted on 03 5941 8446.

L-R : ECG McMillan Horticulture students Collete Gedye and Lindon Moore gain planting tips from Cardinia Environment Coalition Indigenous Nursery worker Amy Evans (centre).

Media Inquiries:

Babis Lagos 5622 6000

r

Top