Araluen Creek Restoration Project - Community Engagement
Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council (USLC) was contracted by Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group (UDCLG) to assist with community engagement for the Araluen Creek Restoration Project. This involved delivery of community educational workshops, a video of the project, re-vegetation advice including assisting with a community planting day and planting list and general publicity. Clare Henderson undertook this work for USLC which was complementary to the work of the UDCLG Project Community Liaison, Cath Harrison.
These activities were undertaken in partnership and liaison with the Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group with a key guiding principle to use specialist knowledge and expertise to ensure local activities were based on best practice and a solid evidence base, combined with local knowledge.
Workshops
Six educational workshops were conducted for the Araluen and broader community:
- 25 February 2023– Apical Weeds Workshop#2 – 25 attended.
- 3 September 2022 – Seed Collection and Propagation Workshop – 17 attended.
- 27 August 2022– Riparian Workshop – 25 attended.
- 25 June 2022– Apical Weeds Workshop – 25 attended.
- 28 May 2022– Soil Erosion Workshop – 15 attended.
- 26 February 2022– Geology of Araluen Workshop – 30 attended.
Revegetation
USLC provided revegetation support and advice, including suitable species lists, site selection, design, site preparation and planting techniques. Three community planting days were conducted on private properties where major erosion control measures had been put in place:
• Tuesday 30 May 2023 – Home-schooling day, approx. 21 people attended. 150 plants in the ground.
• Saturday 27 May 2023 – Community Planting Day, approx. 15 people attended. 400 plants in the ground.
• Sunday 2 April 2023– Community Planting Day, approx. 30 people attended. 400 plants in the ground.
The planting list was prepared and refined in consultation with Lyn Ellis, a local native plant nursery expert.
Information Sheets
Eight information sheets were prepared, circulated to workshop participants, and advertised in various social media, community newsletters and regional media.
- Weed management: a key part of the Araluen Creek Restoration Project
- Tips for managing madeira vine
- Tips for managing blackberry
- Tips for managing privet
- Tips for managing boxthorn
- Native seed soil planting mix guide
- Araluen Native Planting list
Video
As part of its contract with UDCLG, the USLC contracted award-winning local filmmaker Clare Young to capture the story, expertise and learnings of the project. The video, in providing visual depiction of the damage and rehabilitation strategies in the Araluen Valley, raises awareness for local and surrounding communities about disaster recovery processes.
Left: Clare Young interviewing Soil Conservation Service's Lyall Boggie with Upper Shoalhaven Landcare's project officer Clare Henderson.
Centre:The local Braidwood Home Schoolers helped with a planting day at Araluen in May 2023. This is River Parsons learning about the importance of tree guards and how to install them, with Clare Young capturing the moment. Photo: Judy Knowles.
Right: Clare Young filming Araluen landholder Les Mundy with Sally Mathews observing in February 2022 after the first project workshop at the Araluen Federal Hall on the “Geology of the Araluen Valley” presented by Leah Moore, Australian National University. Photo: Clare Henderson
This is a Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund project through the joint Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement