June 5^th is World Environment Day. You may be thinking “so what”?

The idea of having a special day to focus on the environment emerged in the early 1970s, and it was soon formalised by the United Nations General Assembly.

Since 1974, there has been a World Environment Day on June 5th every year. It has been used as a platform to raise awareness, support action and drive change for a healthier global environment. Each year has a theme; this year it’s ‘Biodiversity’.

It can be sobering, if not overwhelming, to think about the pressures on biodiversity on the global scale. Luckily at a more local level there is a lot we can do to leave a positive legacy for the plants, animals, and other organisms that constitute thriving ecologies.

Yass Gorge is a refreshing success story, and is a place we can visit regularly to experience the beauty and tranquility that results from local restoration.

Thanks to the hard work of local volunteers, Yass Gorge has been transformed over the past 30 years. These efforts are ongoing. Over six days in April this year, exotic weeds were removed from seven hectares in the north eastern end of the gorge, including Wild Plum, Blackberry and Hawthorn. Later this year more native plants will be planted.

Also, Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups and Friends of Yass Gorge successfully applied for funds from Local Land Services to undertake a flora and bird survey, fox management, native tree and shrub planting, as well as develop a Fire Management Plan for Yass Gorge.

There is a lot that we can do at a local level. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Check out the wonderful booklet on Yass Gorge by clicking on the cover photo below.

The majority of Landcare members participating in the South East Local Land Services funded Paddock Tree project collected either their sheep or cattle sized mesh tree guards over the ANZAC weekend, and thankfully the next week the Yass region had good rain to settle in newly planted trees. Overall this project has resulted in 380 new paddock trees which will provide habitat and food sources for woodland birds. The Yass Landcare group is already thinking about a second round for Autumn 2021, which is a good reason to join your local Landcare group so that you can participate in this worthwhile project. 

During 2019 members of the YAN Climate Ready project team worked with Nola Hancock from Macquarie University, the author of the Climate Ready Revegetation guide.  This guide was a major reference document in the YAN Climate Ready project. The video below shows Nola Hancock providing an an explanation of the Climate Ready Revegetation Guide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tsHxIWz9v0%20

The second video shows members of the YAN Climate Ready team using the NicheFinder product which enables a user to determine the likely climate tolerance of defined plants - this information enables us to determine if the plant could survive in our regions future projected climate.  Further information on the YAN Climate Ready Project is available under the Project tab. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnVb3KwFHWI&feature=youtu.be

The Wilson family of Yass Landcare are using technology so that Landcare volunteers can comply with COVID-19 meeting restrictions.  Nursery volunteers are regularly required to water the historical Yass Hospital Roses located at the nursery site, to sow some of the groups native seed range, to weed or thin new seedlings etc.  Even in the upcoming cooler months plant nursery maintenance doesn't stop.  So if your Landcare group has a vital project that needs regular maintenance this SignUp product may assist you to comply with COVID-19 meeting restrictions but keep vital projects progressing two people at a time.