Transforming Wodonga into a Green Urban Haven
Major winter planting initiative aims to plant over 7,000 native tube stock across multiple locations with community support
The Wodonga community is invited to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty this winter as Project Sprout launches an ambitious revegetation program that will further build on 13 years of volunteer work through Landcare to transform the city's parks, trails, and waterways into vibrant green corridors teeming with native wildlife.
Project Sprout – Sustaining Parks: Restoring Our Urban Terrain – aims to plant over 7,000 native tube stock across multiple locations throughout Wodonga, creating vital wildlife corridors that will connect the Wodonga hills and waterways directly through the city to the Murray River.
The project aims to cool and green Wodonga by establishing and expanding native plantings in urban parks. All of our native plants have been grown by the wonderful volunteers at Our Native Garden Nursery in Wodonga. With these plants and volunteer support existing green spaces will be transformed into biodiversity hotspots that provide habitat for wildlife, improve air and water quality and help our community foster deeper community connections with nature.
"We're not just planting trees – we're weaving together a living network that supports both wildlife and our community's wellbeing," said Jo Vincent, Network Facilitator with Wodonga Urban Landcare Network. "Every plant we put in the ground helps create corridors for native animals while providing cooler, more beautiful spaces for residents to enjoy."
Between the 20th and 29th June, twelve Landcare groups who make up the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network will host community planting days at multiple locations across Wodonga.
House Creek & Huon Creek: Ongoing woody weed removal continues to open new areas for revegetation at Willow Park, Clyde Cameron Reserve, Ewart Brothers Reserve and David Winterbottom Park. These sites are ready for revegetation works to improve waterway stability and water quality and public amenity.
Wodonga Retained Environment Network reserves & hills: Friends groups including Baranduda, Bears Hill, Federation Hill, Lou Lieberman Park, Susan Campbell & Kent McKoy Reserves and Leneva Castle Creek Landcare are transforming parks into connected corridors with enhanced recreational amenity.
Wodonga Trails: Our rail trail volunteers are creating wildlife and recreational connectivity along rail corridors, replacing weeds with native shrubs that support both fauna and community enjoyment.
Ryan’s Lagoon: is a significant wetland co-managed by the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation (DDAC) and Parklands Albury Wodonga.The planting day there to help restore native vegetation and protect the lagoon, to provide habitat and improve water quality.
Everyone is welcome at our community planting days with all ages and experience levels catered for. No green thumb required – just enthusiasm for making Wodonga greener and more sustainable.
Project Sprout delivers multiple benefits for Wodonga:
- Climate resilience: By 2030 Wodonga is anticipated to warm from 0.6-1.3 degrees. Native plantings help mitigate climate change impacts and provide natural cooling.
- Biodiversity boost: Wodonga is home to approximately 45 threatened fauna species. We are creating habitat corridors that support threatened species and local wildlife.
- Water quality improvement: Climate change is leading to more frequent extreme weather events including flooding. Strategic plantings enhance waterway health and provide bank stability.
- Community wellbeing: Research shows that those connected with nature usually have better mental health. Improving green spaces in Wodonga provides recreational opportunities and mental health benefits for our community.
- Stewardship: volunteering with Landcare builds community connectedness and an opportunity to learn about and support the maintenance of local ecosystems.
"This project is about much more than planting – it's about giving back to our community and environment," explained Jo Vincent. "When community members get involved in hands-on restoration in their local area, they develop a deep connection to these spaces and become environmental stewards and advocates for their ongoing protection and care."
Project Sprout is proudly supported by Landcare Australia and BUPA.
Register to attend
Follow updates:
WULN website
Facebook
Media Contact:
Jo Vincent - Network Facilitator 0428 672 713 info@wodongalandcare.org.au
Photo Opportunity:
9.30am Friday 6th June
Our Native Garden Nursery 29 Kane Rd Wodonga, Vic 3690
(Adjacent to Re-use Shop at Wodonga Transfer Station. Park in Re-Use Shop)
About Project Sprout: Project Sprout – Sustaining Parks and Restoring Our Urban Terrain is a community-driven revegetation initiative connecting Wodonga's hills and waterways through strategic native plantings that support wildlife corridors, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen community connections with nature.