Hi Landcarers

If you haven’t already booked in for the Kokoda walk on Friday, there is still time!

In partnership with the National Parks Association (NPA) Lachlan Valley Branch, we are pleased to welcome people to join us on a walk at Kokoda.

Kokoda is the biodiversity offset property owned by CMOC NorthParkes Mines. This property has existing stands of native vegetation and over the past two years they have been working to revegetate the area with over 18,000 trees and shrubs planted.

On Friday, 10 December, walkers meet at Bushman’s Dam carpark at 8am. All walkers must register their intention to attend with Marg Applebee via cwllpo@hotmail.com or 0418 611 053. Registrations are essential. If wet weather prevails, the walk will be postponed.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided, so please indicate if you have any special dietary requirements when you book in. Please note that there are currently COVID-19 restrictions still in place and these will be adhered to.

This walk will be an opportunity to observe with the NPA group and be part of a bird count and to look over the new planting project, hear from the environmental team and ask questions.

Walkers are reminded to bring along enough water for the entire day, as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hat and sunscreen. A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair for the post- walk cuppa is recommended. A $2.00 donation for each walker is appreciated.

Kokoda Biodiversity Offset was purchased by Northparkes Mines in 2014 and established as a conservation area with the aim of restoring degraded farmland to a functioning woodland. Kokoda is secured under the protection of a Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA), locking it in perpetuity for the sole purpose of enhancing biodiversity values.

The conservation area is 350 hectares comprised of open grassland and dense woodland, located in the Mandagery landscape. As part of the VCA commitments, Northparkes set out to restore 37.3 hectares of degraded grassland to a Grey Box Grassy Woodland (GBGW) community, reflective of the surrounding plant community type.

Over the course of 18 months, the partnership of Northparkes and Skillset Landworks have undertaken land preparation activities and installed 18,000 tubestock across the specific target area. Ongoing maintenance of the tubestock will be undertaken to ensure their success and establishment in the landscape.

For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare