Phoebe Clark, Jasmine Irving and Isla Cook enjoy planting a seedling at one of BRAWL’s working bee. Photo: Supplied.
Whenever I walk (or sometimes run!) the track alongside the Bega River my mind acknowledges the determined band of workers who have reclaimed this environment.
Over the last two decades, what was a place on the fridge in every respect has been reconnected with the heart of Bega.
No longer a place to avoid or feel afraid in, the Bega River now invites people in during their lunch break, at dawn and dusk, for Parkrun on a Saturday morning, or for a kids birthday party.
There is a sense of gratitude everyone who uses the space feels. Maybe its time to turn that feeling into action.
The whole community is invited to join in a special Bega River working bee this Sunday (February 24) from 10 am to 12.30 pm.
This weekend’s event is the first in a series of four ‘Bega River Sundays’ – a follow up to the Bega River Day last November, a mini-festival that celebrated what’s been achieved at the river so far.
Children helping revegetate the Bega River with native species with BRAWL. Photo: Supplied.
“We got the message loud and clear during River Day that more people would like to help us take care of these important public spaces and habitats but our current working bee program on the first Monday of the month is not very convenient for many with family and work commitments,” says Chris Allen, Chairperson of Bega River and Wetlands Landcare (BRAWL).
“There will be one Sunday morning working bee held each season to provide an opportunity for busy families to come along, help plant and weed as well as learn about the local environment with an Education Officer on hand with prepared activities for children of different ages.”
Thanks to a Community Environment Grant from Bega Valley Shire Council, River Sundays will also have the support of re-vegetation contractors to maximise volunteer efforts over a few hours.
“If enough people come along for just a couple of hours, it will make a very real difference to the river with potentially hundreds of new plantings going in and some very necessary weeding after all the rain – call it a Bega River Blitz,” Mr Allen says.
Tree planting done at November’s River Day Festival. Photo: BRAWL Facebook.
To take part in this ‘River Sunday’, meet at the River Reserve picnic area at the bottom of Auckland Street at 9:45 am. Once the dirty work is done everyone is invited to join in a communal lunch.
“Bring your kids, pack a picnic and I’m sure you will enjoy the chance to do good, feel good and learn about the local ecology,” says BRAWL Co-ordinator Erin Moon.
Sturdy shoes, hats and sun protection are highly recommended and bring your own gardening gloves if you can, all other tools and materials will be provided.
For more information, contact Erin Moon by email – [email protected]
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