Students aid forest growth

South West students have volunteered to get their hands dirty in an effort to help grow the next generation of the Ludlow forest.

Students from Cape Naturaliste College, Bunbury Cathedral Grammar, and Millennium Kids Inc, a Perth-based environmental youth organisation, will help the Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group plant 30,000 tuart seedlings which have been growing at the Boyanup nursery.

Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group vice-president Des Donnelly said hundreds of children wanted to get involved. “They will all be allocated a place and a number of trees that they can plant,” he said.

“It gives people the opportunity to own the forest and return in years to come with pride.”

Forrest MHR Nola Marino said the project was part of the Federal Government plan to plant one billion trees by 2030.

Earlier this year, Mrs Marino announced a $108,000 grant for the replanting of the Ludlow Tuart Forest.

“This project in the Ludlow Tuart Forest is particularly significant to me because this is the only naturally occurring tuart forest in the world, which is why the Federal grant is so important,” she said.

“It’s great to see not only local schools in our area but also interest from schools in Perth, and I hope that the children will develop a connection with the forest.”

The restoration group now has more than 450 members. President Evelyn Taylor said the future of the forest was bright.

“The amount of community involvement in this project has convinced me the forest will be protected into the future,” she said.

“It’s in the hands of young people now.”