FRESH vegetation and new flowers were planted at the Valley Lake Conservation Park by the Mount Gambier Country Garden Club last week as they looked to give back to the community during National Garden Week.
Deb Paschke and around 15 other club members were at the park Friday morning to help with the conservation project.
“This week is garden week, so we thought it would be a great idea to put something back into the community,” Ms Paschke said.
“We managed to get involved in the magnificent conservation project up here at the lakes by coming up and helping plant trees.”
With over 50 members from across the region, the club recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and was looking for a way to contribute to a community project during the week.
“We meet once a month and it is a pleasurable group because we visit various gardens across the region,” Ms Paschke said.
“We have a committee that always looks at what we can do to put something back into the community.”
The aim of the conservation project is to enhance biodiversity and attract a range of animals and birds to the park.
Ms Paschke said once the plants have grown over time it will be a great place for the community and visitors to enjoy.
“The plants we have put in are flowering plants to try and encourage different birds to come into the area,” she said.
“There will be some colour, which will also make it a lovely place for people to walk and enjoy.”
Ms Paschke was quick to recognise the volunteers who give their time every Friday at the park and said they were just their to lend a helping hand.
“It is important to look at what other community organisations are doing in relation to gardens,” she said.
“Up here at the lakes they have volunteers who come every Friday and work on this project, so they are the real champions.”
The garden club’s choice to give back to the community in a small way will serve as a reward for the group in years to come.
“I have planted up here before and it’s nice to come back and see how the trees have grown,” Ms Paschke said.
“We will take some photographs today and then in 10 years we will come back in our wheelchairs and say ‘we planted those trees’.”
