On Friday, The Farm at Ewingsdale had a visit from local MP Justine Elliot who came to see the Zero Emissions RePlant Byron community forest planting site.
The project received federal funding of $10,000 which was delivered through the Richmond Community Environment Grants program.
Ms Elliot said the RePlant Byron community forest is a unique initiative. ‘It will help improve land quality, restore biodiversity, help stabilise the water table and provide a valuable community resource.’
Zero Emissions Byron is a volunteer run community project, with six working groups who meet regularly. There are five groups which cover the different sectors of emissions (energy, buildings, waste, land use and transport), plus a communications working group.
‘I congratulate Zero Emissions on this wonderful project and their ongoing passion and commitment to environmental conservation, community engagement and reducing emissions,’ said Ms Elliot. ‘I’m incredibly proud to support local environmental groups such as Zero Emissions who focus on positive outcomes by improving the extent, connectivity and condition of native vegetation that in turn supports native species.’
The funding has gone towards site preparation and purchase of approximately 2,400 native trees including Figs, Lilly Pillies and Red Cedar.
‘We’re so fortunate to have such active, committed and diverse community groups across our region and I look forward to working together to make our area an even better place to live.
‘The Richmond Communities Environment Programme supports small scale, community-led environment projects that address environmental priorities across the North Coast which give our community the resources, skills and knowledge to care for the environment.’
We now need some koalas to put in those trees.