Green Army signs off on the Yorke Peninsula

The Green Army hung up their gloves for the last time in September, after an impressive effort saw great outcomes for threatened species on Yorke Peninsula.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Team Leader Max Barr said the work undertaken by the Green Army was invaluable, directly improving critical habitat areas for some of Yorke Peninsula’s most threatened species.

"The two Green Army projects, Enhancing Habitat Restoration Efforts on Yorke Peninsula, were an initiative of Naturally Yorke and saw fourteen young locals’ sign up to take part"

"The Green Army teams have treated environmental weeds across more than 5000 hectares on Yorke Peninsula, including invasive Beach Daisy that was encroaching on Hooded Plover breeding territory and Bridal Veil infestations that threatened already fragile Spider Orchid populations," Mr Barr said.

Mr Barr said the Green Army teams have planted thousands of native coastal plants over the course of the project and participated in collecting native seeds for future propagation.

"The teams should be very proud of the effort they put in, with many of the tasks involving long hours of gruelling manual labour; the project involved brush cutting over 50 hectares of non-native Acacia cyclops in revegetation areas and removing almost a tonne of marine debris collected off long sections of coastline," Mr Barr said.

Daniel Squire, 22, was one of the dedicated Green Army participants, joining the project for a six month period in May this year.

"I signed up because I had heard good things from friends about the Green Army," Mr Squire said.

"The highlights for me were seeing new places each week, working on a variety of projects with different people and making some great mates."

The Green Army is a hands-on, practical environmental action program for young Australians aged 17–24 years that supports local environmental and heritage conservation projects across Australia.

The program is funded by the Australian Government through the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board and is supported by project partners including Conservation Volunteers Australia, Yorke Peninsula Council, Trees for Life, Friends of Victoria Park, Port Rickaby Progress Association, Friends of Innes NP, James Well and Rogue Point Progress Association, Friends of Hooded Plover, Port Clinton Progress Association and local landholders.

If you would like to learn about, or become involved in future revegetation and restoration projects in the Northern and Yorke region, please contact the Natural Resources Centre in Clare on 8841 3444 or email DEWNR.NRNY@sa.gov.au.