Yass Landcare Group held a discussion and demonstration planting about paddock trees, how and why we should plant them and how to protect them from livestock.

Jeremy led a demonstration planting of a Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) seedling at the Yass landcare nursery site behind the Men's Shed and showed us how to construct a livestock-proof tree guard. We had morning tea and sausage sandwiches, and learned about upcoming grants that can assist with the cost of planting and fencing.

The tree guards - sheep and cattle size - are available to members of the local Landcare groups.

A small group of enthusastic year 8 students recently visited Tony Folkard's property Pindari to plant 100 wattles.

The Yass High School students missed two school classes but they enjoyed being outdoors to dig holes, plant wattle tube-stock and then protect their new plantings with tree guards.  All of the plants used on this site were grown by the Bowning-Bookham Landcare nursery volunteers.

This planting is part of the Habitat Hops from Burrinjuck to Bango Project and has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

We hope that the students look forward to revisiting the site to do more plantings in future years. 

Yass Landcare is celebrating National Tree day on Sunday 28 July.
There will be a special open day at the nursery from 11am.  A demonstration on how to plant and protect a paddock tree will be undertaken.  Paddock trees are vital to link patches of native bushland to enable small birds and animals to move through our landscape. If you are interested in this vital project tree guards can be ordered at a competitive price on the day or you can team up with others to participate in a future planting.

The Yass Landcare nursery are changing their opening hours.
Located behind the Yass Men’s Shed, it is now open on the second Saturday of each month and the last Tuesday of each month from 9am to noon. If you would like to participate in a nursery activity please come along or email Jan Grubb on [email protected] for more information.  

For the Love of a Rose.
The roses from the Yass Hospital have been rescued from the renovations there and are safely bagged and are being stored at the nursery for the next 12-18mths ready for replanting. Here for you to see when you visit!

Photo: Landcare members preparing tube stock for the paddock tree planting project.

Hurrah! An amazing effort over the weekend from so many people resulted in about 1200 trees and shrubs planted and guarded and watered on 4 properties. So congratulations to all involved, and a big thank you from the landholders and of course the environment and all who depend upon it (ie everyone, whether they know it or not). While not blisteringly hot, the weather was kind to us, and the rain on Monday was fantastic. Along with the hard work (made easier and more fun by working in teams) lots of socialising happened with lunches, afternoon teas, and another delicious home cooked meal at Bookham Hall on Saturday night and a BBQ and bonfire on Sunday night courtesy of the Armours to wrap up the weekend.

As I was finishing off the last part on our place on Monday (in the rain), I reflected on the stark contrast between solitary and group efforts in tasks like this, and I know which one I prefer!

A special thank you to Elizabeth for bringing all of this into being. Your endless energy and positivity is an inspiration to us all.

Cheers
Linda
President
Bowning-Bookham Districts Landcare