Kulkyne Way Junior Landcare Group are getting ready to launch “New ways to plant trees in dry times” project having recently received a $500 grant from Australia Post through Landcare Australia’s Junior Landcare Grants Program. 

The $500 grant was awarded through the Biodiversity category of the program, sponsored by Australia Post, and will be used by Kulkyne Way Junior Landcare Group to explore new and better ways of planting tubestock of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses.

The group will compare conventional planting techniques with two commercially available polymer products “Solid water sticks” and “Earthcare planting gel” which provide supplementary water to tubestock.

Junior Landcare is one of Australia’s largest ever environmental education programs, involving over 50,000 students across Australia, with a focus on putting lessons learned in the classroom into practice out in the field.

Maaike Johnston, President of the Kulkyne Way Landcare Group said the Australia Post/Junior Landcare Biodiversity Grant would be a much needed boost for the group’s environmental program. 

“The Junior Landcare Grants Program is a huge help to groups like ours. This is the second activity the newly formed Kulkyne Way Junior Landcare Group has initiated to attract children and their parents to becoming involved in environmental projects through Landcare.”

Landcare Australia Chief Executive Officer, Brian Scarsbrick, said “Junior Landcare encourages ownership through involvement as kids not only learn how to help care for our environment, find solutions for environmental problems but can also participate in local Landcare projects.

“So far Australia Post has funded 199 Junior Landcare grants which will help our kids learn about the importance of protecting our environment while having fun at the same time.

“Thanks to Australia Post we expect a further 40 schools to participate in the Biodiversity category in 2008,” Mr Scarsbrick said.

Hundreds of Junior Landcare grants are allocated Australia-wide each year with most being valued up to $550. Successful projects involve both the students and teachers in the school; have well-defined educational outcomes with an environmental focus; are well planned and documented; link with a community Landcare group; and are student-oriented and allow maximum student involvement.

Australia Post commenced its partnership with Landcare Australia in 2005.

 “We’re very proud to be a partner of Landcare Australia and we are looking forward to seeing many more outstanding projects like the “New ways to plant trees in dry times” project for the years to come,” said Australia Post Environment Manager, Andy Trott.

“We hope that our involvement in the Junior Landcare Grants will foster interest within the younger generation to learn more about how to care for their own environment and community,” Andy said.

Further information about the Junior Landcare Grants Program is available online at www.juniorlandcare.com.au or by phoning Landcare Australia on 03 9662 9977.

For further information on the Kulkyne Way Landcare Group go to http://mallee.landcarevic.net.au/kulkyne-way