Published on Friday, 1 October 2021 at 9:08:01 AM
On 5 September an enthusiastic group of community members gathered in the sunshine to plant 500 local native plants alongside a section of the new Buayanyup River Drain Reserve shared path.
This 2.1km path project is an interagency partnership between the Water Corporation, City of Busselton and Department of Transport and will construct an active transport link from the Wadandi track in Vasse to the coast.
Native plant species were selected by consultant and native bee scientist, Dr Kit Prendergast, and will create habitat for a range of pollinators, while supporting native bee diversity. The project features interpretational signage at various points alongside the path, to enhance community awareness of the fact that over 200 native bee species are located in the South West of Western Australia.
Native plants were supplied by Geographe Community Landcare Nursery and volunteers enjoyed morning tea hosted by Vasse Vantage Lifestyle village following what was a very productive morning’s work.
The Water Corporation will continue planting the pollinator pathway in autumn 2022, utilising Dr Prendergast’s PHD research findings such as native bees’ preference for “clump” planting. Clump planting is the deliberate placement of 40 or more of the same plant species alongside each other. Dr Prendergast presented a native bee workshop for community members earlier this year and has been engaged by the City to undertake a native bee survey in spring 2022 to monitor the diversity of species.
Thank you to community volunteers, Geographe Community Landcare Nursery, Dr Prendergast and government agencies involved in the project.
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