There’s a part of Adelaide’s south ready for some TLC. Find out more and how you can help restore the area at a Community Planting Day on June 12.
Patches of land along Field River in the suburb of Trott Park are getting some much needed restoration attention.
This builds on what’s already been achieved in the neighbouring Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, and surrounding areas for many years by councils and volunteers to restore the area.
On Sunday June 12, Greening Australia are looking for volunteers to help the restoration process and participate in a Community Planting Day.
Here’s all you need to know about the Field River Valley Project:
What is the Field River Valley Project?
The project centres on 45 hectares of land in the upper part of the Field River Valley, and a 10 hectare section near the coast where the river meets the sea.
It brings some much-needed attention to activate, restore and rewild these patches of land.
The project will create more open spaces for people to visit, and also improve water quality to protect threatened native fish such as congoli at the mouth of the river, and restore threatened grassy woodland to provide habitat for birds such as the threatened yellow-tailed black cockatoo.
The project is being led by Green Adelaide and will work with land managers to:
- Restore the riverbanks and the surrounding areas through weeding. Recently feral olive trees were removed and native seedlings planted under a trial to transform the olives into biochar.
- Survey the site to better understand the environmental and cultural values of the area.
- Plant local native species through community events.
- Raise awareness about the ecology and cultural heritage of the area, including areas of importance to the Kaurna people.
Why does the area need some TLC?
Field River Valley is one Adelaide’s last remaining large urban, open spaces. Few suburbs have an area like this, and of this size. The area is a great opportunity for locals and visitors to connect with nature including with threatened species.
We also know there is a 70,000 year old Diprotodon (giant wombat megafauna) fossil discovered in 1992.
Get involved in a Community Planting Day
The Field River Valley Project site will undergo activities for restoration over a significant period of time.
You can play a part by participating in a Community Planting Day on Sunday June 12 at Barton Drive Reserve at Trott Park.
To attend, register your attendance via Greening Australia event page.
Event details:
- Date: Sunday, 12 June 2022
- Location: Barton Drive Reserve, Trott Park
- Timing: 10am to 2.30pm – please come and go whenever suits you.
- What to wear: Comfortable outdoor clothes with suitable footwear that you’re happy to get dirty.
- What to bring: Water bottle, gardening gloves and a hat.
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The Field River Valley Project is a collaboration between Green Adelaide, the Department for Environment and Water and other state government agencies, the cities of Marion and Onkaparinga, the Kaurna Nation, Trees For Life and Greening Australia. Local land managers are encouraged to take part in the project.
(This blog has been updated and was originally published on 7/9/2021)