An educational bus tour will take place in Lake Macquarie as part of National Landcare Week (1-7 August).
The unique experience, which travels to four key sites showing positive signs of regeneration, is also a chance to celebrate the more than 1,000 volunteers and 180 groups that care for the flora and fauna across the city.
“Our environment is one of our most precious resources,” Lake Macquarie City Council Landcare coordinator Jason Harvey said.
“This bus tour will showcase the hard-working efforts of our volunteers and teach the ways in which we are changing our landscape for the better.”
The journey, which starts at 9am on Wednesday 3 August, will stop at Redhead, Whitebridge and Kahibah before finishing at Toronto.
“While tickets for the bus seats have sold out, attendees are welcome to travel in their own vehicle and join us,” Mr Harvey said.
Kenibea Landcare member Bob Spargo said his dedicated team of five volunteers were working on numerous projects, which span across the equivalent of 16 football fields.
“We’re the third stop of the tour,” he explained.
“One of the main focuses has been removing privet, which is a thick hedge that can sometimes restrict native plants getting any sunlight.
“By removing this, we’ve seen the regeneration of our native species such as sandpaper figs and maidenhair.
“So, I think those attending the bus tour will be impressed with the transformation they’ll see.”
The Redhead site spans 400 metres and runs adjacent to the Fernleigh Track.
“Our team has been working to remove exotic species such as lantana, turkey rhubarb, wild tobacco and foreign grasses and restoring these with natural species, which in turn create travel corridors for our Australian animals,” Mr Harvey said.
Meanwhile, Landcare groups are calling on additional volunteers to help them throughout the year.
“The more hands we have on deck, the more we can change our environment for the better and make positive impact,” Mr Harvey said.
For more information about the bus tour, head to lakemacquarielandcare.org
Visit lakemacquarielandcare.org to learn how to become a Landcare volunteer.
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