Green Army work underway in Bonner

Young people involved in the Habitat Improvement and Connectivity rehabilitation project in Mansfield have commenced on-ground works as part of the Australian Government’s Green Army, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

Speaking from the project site, Mr Vasta said the Green Army team’s hard work was benefitting the region by restoring habitat and improving connectivity in the area.”

“To date, this team has undertaken extensive plantings and completed the removal of weeds and rubbish to regenerate this area,” Mr Vasta said.

“As this is only one part of this team’s five different locations, they are well along the way to completing this area to schedule, and I commend them for their hard work and enthusiasm.”

Participants will also be undertaking the following work as a part of the project:

– Brush-cutting;

– Identifying native species and priority weeds;

– Controlling weeds;

– Collecting and propagating seeds; and

– Monitoring and evaluation.

“In future, we will see first-hand the benefits and improvements made to our local environment through activities undertaken by the Green Army,” Mr Vasta said.

“These participants will not only be generating real environment and conservation benefits for our community, but they will be gaining valuable practical training and experience to help them prepare for the workforce or further their training and improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army is a key Government commitment with $525 million budgeted over four years.

The Programme will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government's total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Further opportunities to join a Green Army project can be found online at www.environment.gov.au/green-army.