New Program A Watershed For Degraded Wetlands
Illawarra Mercury
Monday May 24, 2004
DOZENS of green thumbs will get dirty this year to help revive four South Coast wetland areas.
Pollution, exotic weeds, feral animals and changes in land and water usage have threatened the areas, vital to the ecosystem, according to the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
A new program launched on Friday will help improve the health of Tom Thumb Lagoon at Wollongong, Werri Lagoon at Gerringong, Coomonderry Lagoon at Shoalhaven Heads and Lake Conjola wetlands near Milton.
Volunteers are needed for the 12-month, $500,000 program, a partnership between the catchment authority, which is funded by the Natural Heritage Trust, Conservation Volunteers Australia and BHP Billiton.
More than 700 hours will be spent restoring the wetlands, planting trees, removing weeds and rubbish, constructing tracks and fences and conducting research.
Sue McGregor has been a volunteer with Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon since it started 11 years ago.
``When (Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon) first started there were no trees, now there's lots and lots of trees," Ms McGregor said.
Luke Grounds volunteers with the Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon as often as he can, planting trees and removing weeds.
``I try to (volunteer at the lagoon) once a month or fortnight," he said.
To volunteer phone 1800 032 501.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury