Something exciting is happening at the community-managed wetlands situated in the Gippsland town of Heyfield.
A small section of the Wetlands is now home to the Seeding Succession project. Started by Maffra & District Landcare Network, the project aims to showcase local plant species found in the Gippsland Grassy Plains bioregion and ensure that expert knowledge is shared amongst the wider community.
EcoGipps has partnered with the Heyfield Wetlands, Avon Landcare and community volunteers to continue this project. The second phase of the project began with the establishment of a range of plants within a small, fenced area.
“These plants will easily get lost amongst the shrubs and grasses commonly found within the open areas of the wetlands, so the fenced area provides them with a buffer to get established,” explains wetlands committee member, Mike Kube.
The diverse range of plants, grown by Woolenook Nursery and local plant expert, Martin Swanson, have been chosen for their ornamental value to encourage locals to plant them in their own gardens.
Some of the species include the Vanilla Lily (Arthropodium minus), Matted Bush-pea (Pultenaea pedunculata), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda Triandra) and the Yam Daisy or Murnong (Microseris lanceolata), which was an important food source for the Gunaikurnai people.
As the plants grow, cutting material and seeds will be collected for propagation, with new plants being shared among other community groups, including Landcare and the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail. The space will also be used for propagation workshops and plant ID activities to educate the community on the Grassy Plains bioregion and share knowledge of local plant experts among the wider community.