The Project
The future vision for the Gemtree Wetlands is to provide an area of biodiversity which is a major haven for native plants, frogs, birds and animals as well as being a great teaching resource for the community. Greening Australia is providing expertise, planning and management of the volunteers working on the project.
Frogs are of particular interest as they are bio-indicators for the health of wetland environments. As most species of frog reproduce in water, any chemical pollutants present can pass directly to them. Generally, if no frogs are present, the waterway is suffering.
There are several species of frog commonly found in McLaren Vale, including the Brown Tree Frog, Spotted Marsh Frog, Eastern Banjo Frog and Common Froglet. The project will focus on these four species and the habitat created will be specific for both their breeding and feeding requirements.
WETLANDS UPDATE - AUGUST 2008
A Green Corps team was engaged to work on the site from February to July of this year. Works undertaken by the team include:
- Laying out of a walking trail (Stage 1 of the implementation of an educational eco-trail)
- Planting of a small forest of Allocasaurina Verticallata (Sheoaks)
- Preparation of area for the planting of a small greybox and blackboy forest
- Ongoing weed control
The Green Corps team is required to undertake some community work and elected to do some pruning in the Gemtree Vineyards. The team gained some new skills in pruning grapevines and raised $1080 which was donated to the McLaren Flat Primary School. The school is putting the funds towards its Grounds Beautification program which includes the establishment of a permaculture site, and planting of native shrubs and trees.
Greening Australia's Arbor Day volunteer tree planting activity day held at Gemtree Wetlands in June annually engages many volunteers from around the state, including families, school students, and the corporate sector. At the 2008 Arbor Day over 3000 native grasses, trees and shrubs were planted and over 100 volunteers attended.
Logs have been placed in the dams and around the wetlands to provide habitat for frogs and other animals.
The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board has committed to funding the site for the next 3 years to assist in rehabilitation of the water course focusing on planting on the banks of the creekline and weed control.
The Gemtree Wetlands was a monthly nominee in the Channel 10/Telstra Environment Awards.
We are very excited and committed to this project and we look forward to working closely with Greening Australia to create a unique environment in the heart of McLaren Vale.
