Candelo Community Celebrates Caring for the Creek
Candelo Community Celebrates Caring for the Creek
Candelo Landcare brought their community together to celebrate 20 years of caring for and improving the biodiversity, amenity and water quality of the Candelo Creek.
Community Participation -
LP036-003
The issue
Candelo and Districts Landcare group have worked for two decades to control weeds, replant native vegetation and slow erosion in the Candelo Creek, a picturesque stream that runs through the middle of Candelo village. The work of the volunteers has made the creek a beautiful place and greatly increased the biodiversity of the area. Candelo Landcare recently received funding from Local Land Services to leverage the volunteer weed control and have also taken up an opportunity to do a large revegetation planting through Far South Coast Landcare Association’s Bush Connect project. The challenge was to find ways to engage the wider community and connect them to Landcare and the creek.
The solution
Candelo Landcare group came up with fun and innovative ways to bring the community together for the planting and to celebrate all that has been achieved by the volunteers over twenty years of dedicated stewardship of the Creek. The organisation of the day was very collaborative, with support from Far South Coast Landcare Association and South East Landcare's Working Together Aboriginal Communities Program. There was a real focus on inviting families and young people to be part of the day and also on the Traditional and ongoing custodianship of these lands and waters by the Djiringanj people of the Yuin nation.
The impact
There was a great turn-out on the day, with over 70 community members coming together to work, connect, celebrate and learn. Locals got stuck in planting over 400 grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees in a prominent part of the creek bed, in a way that adds beauty to the landscape and connects the creek to the parklands. A range of other activities were also planned for the day and Yuin elders Uncle Graham Moore and Deidre Martin generously shared some insights into the deep cultural and spiritual connection that Yuin people have in this landscape.
Learnings
- People had a great time and rallied at the chance to learn from Yuin elders.
- A range of fun activities attracted young people and families and meant the day had a really fun focus.
Key facts
- Candelo community came together to connect and celebrate the achievements of the local Landcare group
- Over 400 plants were planted right in the middle of Candelo Village
- Community members attended a Traditional weaving workshop with Aunty Deidre Martin
- The Candelo Public School P&C provided a hearty BBQ lunch for all