Wattle Day Walks
Wattle Day Walks
Learning about wattles and their unique role in our environment, their valuable production benefits and importance for wildlife.
Reaching Out -
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The issue
Vast areas of Box-Gum Grassy Woodland have been cleared throughout the wheat-sheep belt in NSW with the expansion of agriculture. Box-Gum Grassy Woodland vegetation is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community, and now remains as small patches on roadsides, TSR's, private property and Reserves. Wattle plants occur within the understorey layer of woodland communities, and play a key role in landscape function, nutrient and water cycling, and as food and shelter for native animals.
The solution
Wattle Day Walks aim to improve community knowledge of wattles. They are comprised of a walk and talk that highlights how wattles and native vegetation can be beneficially integrated into production grazing systems. During the walk, participants are able to inspect more than 30 species of direct seeded, planted and naturally occurring wattles, learn about their production benefits and their importance for wildlife, and also take home some excellent resources, as well as free wattle plants. Wattle Day Walks are funded by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.
The impact
More than 50 people attended three Wattle Day Walks in 2017 held at the property 'Rosemont' in Grenfell. Overwhelmingly, feedback from participants indicated that they felt more encouraged to plant wattles on their property and support friends and family to do so. Participants said they felt more informed, enjoyed the like-minded company, and would be back for our next Wattle Walk. In terms of environmental impact, participants who go on to plant wattles will help to improve food resources for many threatened woodland birds as they attract an array of insects, which will also provide pollination services both in our native vegetation and crops. Sharing knowledge about wattles and native vegetation with landholders, both rural and urban benefits the local area as well as the wider landscape.
Key facts
- Wattles play a key role in nutrient and water cycling
- Wattles have valuable production benefits
- Wattles provide food and shelter for threatened species of woodland birds