Foreshore Wetland connectivity to protect Port Phillip Bay

Description

Port Phillip Bay is one of Victoria’s most precious natural assets, with greater diversity of marine plants and animals than the Great Barrier Reef. Over 3 million people live around the shore of Port Phillip Bay, making it Australia’s most densely populated catchment.

Each week we will take volunteers to new sites stretching the from Point Cook to Queenscliff, to undertake foreshore and wetland protection activities such as weed removal, marine debris surveys, tree planting, flora and fauna surveys and more. This will include sites of international significance under the Ramsar Convention, as well as locations in between that require improvement. This is a great opportunity to visit sites not accessible to the public, as well as learn new skills and protect the environment.

Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect shores from wave action, reduce impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. Wetlands contain a wide diversity of life, providing habitat for animals and plants that are found nowhere else.The wetlands of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site are a vital link between land and water, helping support the health of Port Phillip Bay through filtering storm water runoff. By undertaking activities that enhance foreshore vegetation and reduce marine debris we will be able to reduce the overall nutrient load entering Port Phillip Bay. This will greatly improve the habitat for both terrestrial and marine flora and fauna.

Useful Information

We will visit a different site each day, with transport provided from South Geelong leaving at 8.15am and returning 4.00pm.
Contact the office to find out locations and if you live close to a site we can arrange to meet you there.

Volunteers need to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and boots or sturdy shoes. It is also recommended that volunteers bring and use a broad-brimmed hat, sun-screen and tropical-strength insect repellent.

Also, don’t forget to bring a packed lunch, snacks and drink bottle.

We provide:
– Tools and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, sunscreen etc;
– Tea, Coffee and Biscuits for morning tea;
– Pick up and drop off as detailed above.

Contact

• Heidi Snow
• Phone: 03 5221 0300
• Email: geelong@cva.org.au
• Website: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

• Cost: Free
• Booking required

• 407 Yarra Street, South Geelong, VIC 288 Yarra St, South Geelong VIC 3220, Australia

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