Project SPROUT – Sustaining Parks, Restoring our Urban Terrain!
July 2024
🌱 On target to achieve over 8,600 native plants in the ground!
The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is thrilled to report exceptional progress on Project SPROUT, with the community rallying together to exceed all expectations in restoring Wodonga’s urban landscape.
📊 IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network volunteers are on target to plant a total of 8,666 native tube stock this winter exceeding the original 5,000 plant target by 73%!
Landcare groups, community volunteers and schools have joined forces to plant these tubestock with thanks to a grant from BUPA and Landcare Australia as well as native plants grown by group members and native plants provided by Wodonga Council as part of the Wodonga Retained Environment Network plantings.
Arborgreen have also supported this project providing a discount on stakes, guards, water crystals, purchased to ensure planting success in the dry conditions leading up to our events.
Community Engagement:
- 227 volunteers participated across all planting events
- 68 young people under 18 involved in the project
- 4,074 people reached throughout the entire project
- 525 volunteer hours contributed to project success
- 11 new members have joined various Landcare groups
🎯 WHAT MADE THIS PROJECT SPECIAL
Landcare coordinators created a flexible “Community Planting Week” (June 21-29), allowing multiple groups to participate when it suited them best. This approach generated more excitement and broader participation.
Project SPROUT was launched with a fabulous presentation by Dr Greg Moore on “Trees, Climate Resilience and Urban Landscapes”. The event drew 49 attendees, with the venue and catering generously donated by Wodonga TAFE.
The project has strengthened existing relationships and created new ones:
- A new partnership is emerging between Friends of Wodonga Rail Trail and Wodonga Public School.
- We have enhanced collaboration with Grace Christian College and St Francis of Assisi Primary School.
- We continue to work collaboratively with Wodonga Council and Wodonga TAFE.
🌿 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Project SPROUT is actively contributing to:
- Reconnecting natural habitats across urban and peri-urban landscapes
- Supporting threatened species and ecological communities
- Revegetating and widening wildlife corridors
- Creating urban forests that improve city amenity and liveability
- Enhancing community health and wellbeing
The project has successfully planted across 17 sites (originally planned for 10), with another 4 planting days to be completed which will aid in reconnecting hills, corridors, and waterways throughout Wodonga.
🏆 WHAT’S NEXT
With 16 community planting events completed and 1 final event still to come, Project SPROUT is on its final leg.
The project demonstrates how strategic community engagement, flexible planning, and strong partnerships can deliver outcomes that far exceed expectations while building lasting environmental and social benefits for Wodonga.
Project SPROUT is supported by the Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare Grant through Landcare Australia, demonstrating the power of corporate partnership in creating healthier, more sustainable communities.