On Friday 30^th September, Mitta Valley Landcare coordinated a planting day at Springpol, on the Dartmouth Road, Dartmouth. This project involved revegetating a gully running into the Mitta River. Eight hundred native species were planted by a team of Mitta Valley Landcare volunteers and property managers Chloe Giltrap and Tim

To establish this site, a mix of plants were chosen to thrive in a soil contrast of very dry to very wet, soggy ground, with an emphasis to support the exiting banks and create habitat. The plant list consisted of Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood), Callistemon sieberi (River Bottlebrush), Eucalyptus camphora (Mountain Swamp Gum), Eucalyptus globubas (Blue Gum), Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow-leaf Peppermint), Kunzea ericoides (Burgan), Leptospermums brevipes (Slender Tea Tree), Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea Tree), Lomandra longifolia (Spiny Headed Mat Ruch), and Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock). The plan for revegetation was completed by Audrey Beard. 

A total area of 1.46ha was revegetated. The area was already fenced off with wildlife friendly fencing. (-36.518625, 147.451135) The area is characterised by woody grass lands and has existing river red gum, blue gum, and stringy bark trees along the near bye Mitta River. The area has also been habitat for barking owl and platypus.

Catering was provided by Dartmouth Hotel.

Report by Libbe Paton

On Friday 12th August, Mitta Valley Landcare) held another successful planting day at Chloe Giltrap Mittavale property on the Mitta River. Sixteen landcaers and family turned out to plant 600 native species around a wetland, off the Mitta River. The existing EVC Vegetation Class includes River Red Gums, sedges and tussocks. The wetland is a habitat for the Growling Grass Frog.

The current wetland eco system will benefit from an extensive mixed plant list consisting of Acaia melanoxylon (Blackwood), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum), Eucalyptus melliodora, (Yellow Box), Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria), Callistemon sieberi (River Bottlebrush), Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush), Grevillea rosmarinifolia (Rosemary Grevillea), Kunzea ericoides (Burgan), Leptospermum brevipes (Slender Tee Tree), Melicytus dentatus (Tree Violet), Carex sp. (Commeon Sedge), Lomandra longifolia (Spiny Headed Mat Rush), and Poa labillardieri (Common Tussock). Project Officer Audrey Beard f coordinated and ordered the species schedule.

Catering for the day was provided by Eskdale Café, a locally owned and operated business. 

The ability to offer fencing and revegetation projects in the local community is due to funding from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Murray Darling Healthy Rivers Program. The program aims to support community-led, on the ground projects, and improve the health and ecological condition of rivers and wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin whilst supporting economic development and jobs.

Following the 2020 bushfires in the Upper Murray, land carers Chistina and Peter Ashton have revegetated a bank with 660 native grasses and shrubs. These planting will stabilise the bank and prevent further erosion. Many of the shrubs are bird attracting species.

Species planted include acacia rubida, a pioneer species being fast growing, hardy, cold and drought tolerant, catchment protection; pollen source for native moths, butterflies, and insects and attracts birds. Burgundy tea tree (dwarf) or Leptospermum scoparium nanun rubrum, kunzea ambigua, for insect and small bird attraction, Grass trigger pant, Stylidium armeria, Showy parrot pea, pale wedge pea, golden shaggy pea, oxylobium elliptical, dillwynia sericea, and gompholobium huegelic. Other species include boronia nana var. hyssop folia, Grevillea parviflora, alpine grevillea (cat’s claw) and greenville alpina, and diuris including Golden moths, donkey-ears, tiger, wedge, purple, cowslip. Correa reflexa, grevillea langiera and grevillea rivularis, which will cascade down the rocks and creek bank and dry banks. 

An eroded gully off Yabba Road, Tallangatta South, has been fenced off and planted out with 3oo indigenous species, on the property of Stuart and Sue Reid.

The grant received included 270 metres of wildlife friendly fencing and the planting of native species which will help to stabilise the gully and prevent further erosion. The vegetation will also assist in filtering the runoff from Yabba Road which eventually runs into the Mitta River.

Species planted included acacia melanoxylon (blackwood), bursaria spinosa, callistemon sieberi (river bottlebrush), Blakely Red Gum, rosemary grevillea, prickly tea tree, spiny headed mat rush, tree violet and poa labillardieri (common tussock)

Project worker, Audrey Beard chose the plantings and delivered to the Reids in July.

By Robyn Scales