Creek video

Hopefully this works!

I have also been sent this great planting in action video as well, and it gives a great sense of what it is like down there on the coal-face! Thank you so much everyone for your help.  This is becoming a community garden, just without the veggies!  Thanks Hank, the video is excellent...

The planting begins!

Last weekend Sue and her crew of dedicated reforesters hit the ground running, planting out the first round of trees and shrubs.  This is so exciting! This is how it all looks now, and in a year I will put up comparative shots to show the changes.

The green plant protectors mark where things are going, and lets me know where to keep the slasher away from when keeping this area weed free.  I will also get a photo of Sue's planting map and post it up here too.

I also have a bit of video footage to upload, but it is proving a bit tricky.  Will keep at it.

Planting preparation

Part of the clearing process has been reshaping and preparing for new planting.  This has included dragging logs and offcuts up the slopes to create small swales without cutting into the steep hillsides. At these points we can plant trees and shrubs and create a protected base for them.  Water, soil and organic matter can collect around them, critters and bugs can hide and play around the logs.  Eventually, after a year or two, those logs will break down into the soil and the wee plants first planted will have already established their root base, holding the hillside together.   

On the flat it is a different story, but the trick is to pick the safest spots on and above the flood line. There are plenty of safe areas, so all will work out fine.

Taking shape

Now that the big burnings are done, we can get the site ready for the first round of planting. Sue has done an enormous amount of work lugging around the border logs, mapping out paths, creating sacred spaces as well as social spaces.  The creek is a place to enjoy and experience, not just admire from the road or from above.

I appear to have lost some progression photos from my phone, so cannot update with visuals for this post. I will get fresh ones shortly!