KARUAH’S first indigenous regeneration services team (FIRST) have pulled out their fare share of bitou and lantana across the Myall Coast and they have a certificate two in conservation and land management to prove it.
The Karuah FIRST Indigenous Green Team celebrated their graduation in conservation and land management at Jimmy’s Beach on Friday.
Since their induction into the program 26 weeks ago, the group have undergone practical and theory work on a variety of environmental issues including weed control, protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, fencing, plant propagation, erosion control and bush regeneration.
Member of the FIRST team, Martin Feeney said the group has visited a number of areas across the Myall Coast, some with Aboriginal significance.
“We’ve done a lot of work at the Dart Point Aboriginal site and planting for national parks in places like Mungo and Jimmy’s for restoration purposes,” he said.
“At the moment we’re helping the local koala group at Jean Shaw Reserve to remove lantana and morning glory and helping out with other koala corridors.”
Mr Feeney said aside from the knowledge gained he has drawn a lot of satisfaction from improving the local environment.
“It’s great because we’re always learning something new everyday, and bringing the bush back to better days.”
With eight participants from Karuah’s Aboriginal community, the program is the result of collaboration between Conservation Volunteers Australia, the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Council, Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Taree Indigenous Development and Employment.
Great Lakes Council’s National Parks Assets Officer, Andrew Staniland, said without the commitment of these agencies and organisations the program wouldn’t have got off the ground.
“It’s a huge benefit for the area to have trained people who can go out and improve our local environment,” he said.
“Not only is it a good thing for the environment but it is improving local employment opportunities as well. It is really about local people fixing local problems.”
A paid traineeship, Mr Staniland said participants come out of the program with formal qualifications.
“The participants have goals that they have to hit, so the experience they gain is backed up by theory. It is a formal qualification like any Tafe course.”
Regional Manager at Conservation Volunteers Australia and co-creator of the program, Leonie Winner, said the success of the program is a credit to its participants.
“The team members have shown commitment and enthusiasm throughout their traineeship, and have achieved some fantastic results for the environment and for themselves.”
“Not only have the FIRST members gained formal recognition of their skills and knowledge, they have achieved amazing results at sites around the Great Lakes region,” she said.
“Sites at Jimmy’s Beach, Winda Woppa and around the Myall Lakes National Park have been significantly improved and protected through the energy and expertise that the team has contributed.”
The group will continue their ongoing works over the coming months when they will move onto complete a certificate three in the program.
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