The Native Tree Bushland Project
Working Together in Barraba
Community Participation - LP-023-004
The issue
“The Native Tree Bushland” project saw 90 native trees and plants local to the region planted within the Barraba Central School grounds to improve biodiversity, stabilise the large bank that overlooks the oval, address erosion, improve habitat and attract wildlife and pollinators to the school.
Problems within the school grounds that were identified included:
- Exposed, bare landscape on a large urban site.
- The large bank that overlooks the school’s oval required stabilisation to protect it from further erosion and degeneration.
- Lack of native trees and shrubs around the school and limited bird and insect life was evident. No habitat in an area that is known to accommodate the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The solution
The opportunity to address these issues with corridors of native trees and bushland greatly improves biodiversity, addresses the erosion issue, and will attract wildlife and pollinators to the grounds, including creating habitat for the endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The project was made possible by the Working Together Small Grants Program 2020-21. Plants were sourced from the local region as tube stock where possible and were planted by the students themselves.
The impact
One third of the school’s students and faculty identify as Aboriginal, therefore high engagement and awareness was achieved in the planting of the trees and restoration works. The Opportunity Hub, (Tamworth Local Aboriginal Lands Council) visits the school weekly and was engaged to share knowledge on the importance of Traditional Land Management.
The school created further awareness of the environmental issues the school’s grounds presented by incorporating the project into their geography, history and agriculture educational programs.
The Native Tree Bushland project benefits current and future Aboriginal students at the Barraba Central School and the greater Barraba community by working together to greatly improve environmental awareness and biodiversity in the landscape.
Learnings
The initial funding received for this project inspired further participation from the students and The Opportunity Hub, Tamworth to engage & create a second project, A Yarning Circle. This will further embrace traditional land practices with Aboriginal People and the Barraba Community.
Key facts
- The Working Together Small Grants Program created an opportunity to engage.
- Aboriginal People want to connect.
- From little things big things GROW