SO, DO YOU plant here often? That’s the question that will be on the lips of a new generation of environmental volunteers across the country as Landcare Australia launches a series of Landcare for Singles and Coastcare for Singles speed planting events this Valentine’s Day.
These events provide the perfect opportunity for environmentally conscious people on the look-out for that special someone to try a new and unique form of speed dating, or in the case of Landcare for Singles – speed planting.
The inaugural Landcare for Singles speed planting events were run by the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Landcare Network in Victoria in 2011 to address recruitment issues for Landcare groups in the area.
The Network ran two hugely successful planting days, which attracted more than 100 participants, 95 per cent of who were completely new to Landcare.
Following on from the success of these events, Landcare Australia, in partnership with Kim Boswell of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Network, has developed a project kit which will enable local environmental groups across the country to run a Landcare for Singles or Coastcare for Singles event in their local area.
Long-time Landcarer, Ella Maesepp from Katanning in Western Australia, understands better than most that there is more to Landcare than protecting and repairing the natural environment.
"I first met my husband through a Young Farmers Landcare event back in 2005. We've now been married for almost three years and have a beautiful baby son. The great thing about Landcare is that it is just as much a social network as it is an environmental movement, so you end up meeting a diverse range of people joined together by a common interest. Landcare has given me many great friends, laughs and memorable moments - plus the unexpected bonus of my life partner too!" she explains.
The NSW Landcare for Singles event will take place in the beautiful coastal region of Wollongong on Saturday, September 1t as part of Landcare Week. Megan Rowlatt, Landcare volunteer, and coordinator of Illawarra Youth Landcare, is organising the event which will be hosted in conjunction with Landcare Illawarra. She is encouraging people of all ages to sign up and hopes that it will not only bring like-minded people together for a fun day, but will also raise awareness of the great work that local landholders and Landcare groups do in the region.
For more information visit www.landcareonline.com.au
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