After the overwhelming success of our inaugural Wine Community Revegetation Day at the Rivermouth foreshore last year, we are pleased to announce that the date for 2023 has been scheduled for Friday, 2 June. With the tremendous amount of interest shown in 2022, we look forward to even more participation this year!17 June 2022 marked the very first Revegetation Day organised in partnership with Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River. Over 60 eager volunteers from local vineyards, wineries and cellar doors turned up to lend a helping hand showing a huge amount of excitement and support for our revegetation initiative. In fact, the event was so popular that a volunteer waitlist had to be put in place!
The aim of this wine community conservation effort was to give back to the unique and pristine coastland that gives rise to the distinct and expressive wines that have put Margaret River on the map. The Rivermouth was chosen specifically as the site for this revegetation day due to its significant cultural, marine and terrestrial biodiversity value, not to mention its importance as a recreational hub for locals and visitors alike.
The focus of the day was to work on the degraded areas of this coastal epicentre removing weeds, managing access, stabilising dunes and replanting key native species. The Rivermouth foreshore is an incredibly vital yet fragile ecosystem, made even more so due to its popularity as a cherished surf and swim spot in the summer months. By blocking unapproved access trails, removing onion weeds, planting native seedlings, and covering those newly planted cuttings with a protective layer of brush, we were able to ensure this precious area will continue to thrive for generations to come.
After observing the outpouring of support for the 2022 Revegetation Day and the incredibly positive impact our efforts had on this beloved section of coastline, we decided to make this an annual event and got straight to work planning the 2023 event.
On 27 January 2023, we partnered with Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and Cape Mentelle Vineyard to hold a fundraising movie night at the winery’s iconic outdoor cinema, screening Blueback. It was a heartwarming film and the experience was further elevated by Cape Mentelles’ world-class wine and Little Hand Dumplings’ handcrafted delights. Tickets sold out and the evening ended up raising over $6,000, all of which will go directly towards our 2023 Revegetation Plans, a key part of our Sustainability Action Plan.
If you are wondering how you can get involved in helping to protect and preserve this fertile, yet fragile coastland, keep an eye out for more information on the 2023 Revegetation Day set for 2 June. We look forward to seeing you there!
Can’t possibly wait until June? Well, the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Nature Conservation are looking for volunteers to help protect the Gnarabup Headland area at their first community coastal rehabilitation session of the year on Sunday, April 2nd between 10 am and 12 pm. Find out more information through the link below.
https://natureconservation.org.au/blog/volunteers-needed-to-care-for-gnarabup-coast/