Andrew Scott (North Sydney Bushcare) described the ‘Building Bridges to Boorowa’ program. a remarkable 25-year partnership between North Sydney Bushcare and Boorowa Community Landcare Group.The key drivers for the program were, and still are, the shrinking habitat of the Superb Parrot and other endangered birds, as well as environmental challenges of soil salinity. Since it began in 2000 volunteers from North Sydney have been working alongside Boorowa Landcare volunteers to plant over 73,000 native trees and shrubs across the region. These efforts have created wildlife corridors, combated soil degradation, and enhanced natural habitats.The program’s success lies in collaboration, with each partner playing a crucial role: volunteers contribute time, farmers prepare sites and purchase trees, and councils provide support.
It is a brilliant model on which to build more city-country partnerships resulting in wonderful ecological transformations and stronger community spirit.
This presentation can be viewed on OFF’s YouTube channel here. Note that, due to technical issues, sections of the presentation have been cut resulting in some disconinuity.
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Andrew Scott, a Bushcare officer at North Sydney Council, will tell us about the Building Bridges to Boorowa program, which started in 2000 when a Council Bushcare volunteer learnt of the environmental problems facing this rural region, including soil salinity and loss of habitat for threatened species including the Superb Parrot. Bushcare then identified an opportunity to help Boorowa landholders with their revegetation projects by bringing volunteers to the area for a weekend to help plant trees & shrubs.
Since then, it has become an annual event with the exception of 2020 & 2021 visits which were cancelled due to Covid-19. To date over 60,000 trees and shrubs have been planted through this program to provide habitat for local wildlife around Boorowa in South West NSW.
This meeting will be held at Oatley Uniting Church at 7.30pm Hall and on-line by ZOOM. For ZOOM Meeting Id and Password, please email oatleyff@gmail.com