Blackwood Environment Society opens new nursery to help boost landcare

A new nursery will help the Blackwood community buy native plants to encourage more people to aid habitat restoration and provide forage and shelter for wildlife. The new Blackwood Environment Society facility has opened thanks to a grant from the Native Forestry Transition Plan’s Community Small Grants Fund. The BES received $38,835 in State Government funding to open its Growing On facility, allowing the team of volunteers to provide affordable native plants, including those crucial for habitat restoration in the area. The State Government grant also supported the upskilling of volunteers, with workshops provided to help with seed collection, preparation of cuttings, and nursery hygiene. The group also has accreditation with the National Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia, facilitated by the funding. The nursery, next to the Ashbil Community Garden, produces about 30,000 native plants annually, with production expected to grow in the coming years. Member for Warren-Blackwood Jane Kelsbie attended the facility’s opening and said she believed the initiative would “greatly” boost landcare activities in the region. “It was great to meet the passionate and dedicated team from the Blackwood Environment Society — their volunteers are doing remarkable work in caring for our natural environment,” she said. “I’m proud that we have been able to support their efforts through the Native Forestry Transition Plan’s Community Small Grants Fund. “This funding empowers the society to continue making a significant impact on environmental sustainability in our community.”