The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC), the peak body for the environment and natural resource management in the Northern Agricultural Region, has facilitated the planting near Eneabba.
According to Donna Rayner, Revegetation Officer, the project was a great opportunity to revegetate a large area.
“The project will combat wind erosion by creating windbreaks and replanting bush,” said Ms Rayner.
“We have planted around 20,000 trees and shrubs.
“We’ve had some of the Australian Conservation Volunteers helping plant and NACC staff have also helped out.
“The volunteers have come from Korea, Belgium and France to help plant trees.
“It was certainly an interesting experience trying to communicate with them not always having a strong grasp of the English language.
“The farmer who owns the property de-stocked the area around three to four years ago and decided that he wanted to revegetate the area.
“There are a number of reasons for revegetating certain areas – this area was Northern sand plain country and it blows easily.
“The other benefit is that the area is close to remnant bushland and the road verge – this area will link these areas up and re-establish biodiversity.
“An area this size also provides a great opportunity to trial some new ideas.
“For instance we have are trying a substance like kitty litter in some of the rows to see if this will help hold moisture around the roots longer.
“This is especially important in the establishment phase.
“We are also using worm effluent from the worm farm. Worm effluent is high in food for soil fungi which help trees to grow.
“The area we are covering has been split into two sections – one is a large area of about 80 hectares and the second area will be planted to create two windbreaks which will help to protect the area from the wind erosion but also provide shade for any livestock in the future.
“It is hoped eventually that they will be able to put stock back in the paddock after the wind breaks have established.