Environment
Participants in this slideshow examine the importance of caring for their local environment and their understanding of issues around natural resource management.
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Dredging, Richard (Goolwa)
Murray Mouth Sand Pumping Project sign at the Murray Mouth
Since October 2002, two sand dredges have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both the Goolwa and the Coorong Channels. The sand is pumped as a slurry and piped over the sand dunes in the mouth onto the ocean beach, where the currents move the sand around again.
Recently the milestone of three million cubic metres of sand was reached, and yet the dredging is only just managing to keep the mouth of this once major river open. The cause of this problem is the lack of environmental flows in the river because far too much water is being taken by irrigators and dairy farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). Tidal movement through the mouth must occur if wading birds, many of which are migratory and from the Northern Hemisphere (and protected supposedly by the Ramsar Convention), are to be able to feed on the exposed mudflats in the estuary, particularly between the Goolwa and the Tauwitcherie Barrages.
Nursery, Richard (Goolwa)
Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group nursery
The Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group collects seed from remnant indigenous vegetation on the island, propagates using this seed, then raises the seedlings and plants them out in appropriate places on the island. The group has its own nursery, which is part of Ferrymans Reserve, an Alexandrina Council reserve. An arboretum is being established here. It also uses the Alexandrina Council Community Nursery on the mainland, which being on mains water is used to irrigate island plants that are salt sensitive.
Nursery stock, Richard (Goolwa)
Plants inside Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group (HILG) nursery propagated for 2005 plantings
Seed collecting, Richard (Goolwa)
Volunteers collecting seed
The Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group (HILG) collects seed from the wild. The group knows best where remnant vegetation is located and seeks permission from landowners to collect seed. This Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) member is collecting Enchylaena tomentose seed on Wyndgate Farm. Unfortunately the quantities of wild seed needed for broadscale revegetation is inadequate, so seed orchards have been established on the island too.
Seed orchard, Richard (Goolwa)
Established seed orchard
Eventually there will be four seed orchards on Hindmarsh Island. A variety of understory plants are grown and harvested, the seed to be used in broadscale direct seeding on previously cropped or grazed farming land. This seed orchard, constructed of weed mat, is growing seven species of plants.
Tree planting day, Richard (Goolwa)
Volunteers planting trees
South Coast Environment Group (SCEG), visitors and children were involved in the planting of swamp paperbark.
On World Environment Day 2005 the restoration of this degraded saltpan commenced. Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group (HILG) likes to involve lots of different people and groups in these activities.
Here a mixture of people, including children, from the Conservation Volunteers Australia, the South coast Environment Group, HILG and visitors are involved in the planting of swamp paperbark.
