Green Corps successs for Mc Farlanes Hill Endangered Species and Indigenous Heritage Development Project

parklands has once again been successful in applying for a Green Corps team to assist in the development of the regional parks.  The team will be based at Mc Farlanes Hill on the fringe of West Wodonga.

Following the cessation of grazing, the bushland has experience fantastic regeneration in understorey species and has become an important flora and fauna reference area for the Wodonga region.  The reserve is also an important area for passive recreation, and from the Ridge Walking Track one can experience spectacular views of Albury Wodonga. 

Green Corps gives volunteers aged 17 to 20 the chance to participate in full-time projects designed to preserve, protect and/or restore our natural and cultural heritage.  Projects are of six months duration, include a variety of activities with one or more Green Corps partner agencies and are primarily located in regional and remote areas of Australia.  There are ten young people involved in each Green Corps project.  Green Corps provides team members with quality education and training (including accredited training) and an allowance for the duration of the project. Green Corps is a Federal Government Program coordinated by the Joint Venture partners – Job futures Ltd and Greening Australia.

Part of the track to be upgraded

• involve the Green Corps Team in the protection of the rare and vulnerable species Swainsona galegifolia giving the participants an insight and working experience in protected species management practices.
• break down community barriers and perceptions by offering the opportunity for the participants to work with local indigenous artist and community members that they would not normally have the chance to meet. 
• involve the participants in the creation of a seed bank for the Mc Farlanes Hill that will ensure local provenance for future revegetation works and by doing so give the participants industry skills in native revegetation practices.
• fence off remnant vegetation to enhance natural regeneration and improve water quality in the catchment. 
• to complete an upgrade to the Ridge Walking Track in time for the official opening timed to coincide with the Green Corps Graduation.

This project will enhance and protect the habitat of the rare and endangered Smooth Darling Pea, Swainsona galegifolia, one of two remaining populations in the north east of Victoria.  The project also offers a rare opportunity for a Green Corps Team to collaborate with artist from the indigenous community to install a number of artworks at Mc Farlanes Hill Reserve, Wodonga. 

Smooth Darling Pea

The participants will gain a variety of industry skills and training through engaging in environmental, heritage and community based projects.  Other components of the project involve the establishment of a native seed bank, park interpretation, trail construction and the fencing off of remnant vegetation to protect vital native grasslands and fragile riparian zones. 

Through participation in this project the Green Corps Team will work with a broad section of the professional and local community helping to work towards positive environmental outcomes and development of indigenous heritage while sharing knowledge, experiences and forming friendships along the way.

This project will continue on from the contribution from the CDEP Program, which has contributed approximately 80% of all on groundwork undertaken in the reserve over the last 4 years.  In 2001 parklands in partnership with the Wandoo Aboriginal Corporation started to install infrastructure such as walking tracks and bridges to create the Ridge Walking Track.  During this time the Indigenous work crew as part of their training through Wodonga Institute of TAFE installed approximately 4km on track and 25m of bridgework.  On completion of their work in 2003 the participants decided that an artwork should be commissioned as a dedication to the indigenous contribution to the park development.  In 2004 negotiations between the Indigenous participants and an artist of their choice began, and it is envisaged that the works will be completed by the end of 2005 in time for the official opening of the Reserve.