The Green Army continues to grow with over 123 local Green Army projects commenced (89 projects completed). In July, the programme reached a milestone with the 1000th participant enrolled and in the coming 3 months, an additional 14 projects will commence across NSW and QLD.
The programme is currently awaiting the outcomes of round 5 applications (closed off in June at 165) where over 230 applications were submitted by Campbell Page/Skillset for consideration. The outcomes of round 5 decisions are likely to be towards the end of October or mid-November 2016.
Over the last 2 months, our projects have engaged in a number of various community activities that expand the participant’s awareness and skillsets, adding great value to their engagement. Our activities have included:
- National Tree Day – Green Army Teams participate at many different sites. Eurobodalla Green Army planted over 600 shrubs and trees at Little Lake, Narooma. The planting was organised by Little Lake Landcare member Gillian Kearney to help celebrate National Tree Day in the Eurobodalla Shire.
- Nursery training visits for plant identification occurred across various sites across both NSW and QLD.
- Indigenous cultural training and excursions were conducted by various sites.
Official Green Army Project launches:
It’s has been a busy month for the Green Army, launching new projects starting and their teams. The last two months has seen the programme has commence 11 local Green Army projects across NSW and QLD, some with sitting MP’s officially opening the projects.
Two such examples of sitting MP’s taking a direct hand in launching our local Green Army Projects communicating programme and environmental benefits for the community include the Moggill Creek Catchment officially launched by Federal Member for Ryan the HON. Jane Prentice MP.
In addition, the Green Army this is also a great opportunity for younger people to get training and experience in environment and conservation fields. “The Green Army teams will build on work by Moggill Creek Catchment Group and local landholders to restore the health of Moggill Creek and surrounding habitat, by continuing to control some of the pest weeds in this area, such as Madeira Vine and Cat’s claw creeper. – Jane Prentice MP
Additionally, Holbrook under Landcare’s bushlinks biodiversity project, officially launched by Federal Member for Farrer the HON. Sussan Ley MP.
The initiative is created in partnership with Greater Hume Council, Murray Local Land Services and others, offered 20 to 26 weeks of paid experience.
It’s first and foremost an environmental project, but I see the youth development aspect as equally important. They can do two units of a certificate in conservation and land management and go on and do further units in a second rotation. It’s a great stepping stone. – Sussan Ley MP
August has seen the programme have various community celebrations held for project completing which showcased the achievements of our graduating participants and the local environmental outcomes. These include:
QLD:
- Mt Barney stage 1 – undertaken in a national park environment
- Scenic Rim 5
- Scenic Rim 6
- Babinda Creek 2
- Giddens Creek 2
- Bundaberg Disaster Recovery 1
- Mt Barney 1
- Gladstone Disaster Recovery 1
NSW:
- Bathurst Woodlands 2
- Lithgow 2
- Booligal 2 – Hay Plains
- Kalyarr 2 – Hay Plains
- Killalea African Olive 3
- Killalea Asparagus 3
- Cumberland Plain 5
- Cumberland Plain 6
- Upper Shoalhaven 2
The Green Army is a hands-on, practical environmental action programme that supports local environmental and heritage conservation projects across Australia. It is an Australian Government Programme for young people aged 17–24 years who are interested in protecting their local environment.
