One vine at a time a dedicated group of volunteers is returning the banks of the Bremer River to a pristine environment.
What started out as a four-week project for Anthony Edwards has blossomed into a regular meeting of like-minded volunteers through the Garden of Eden project.
Every third Saturday of the month they gather to improve the environmental condition of the Bremer River at Cribb Park.
Mr Edwards said the Garden of Eden group were gradually removing the smothering glycine vine and other weeds choking the river bank and re-planting areas with ground cover and understorey trees.
“It’s an unstable area, and it’s in a flood area. So we have to be careful – we can’t remove everything and start again, we have to do it in stages. What we have uncovered, we have to put plants in to establish again. It is a very slow process,” he said.
The plants in the group’s first stage of works, just above the flood zone, are flourishing with the care and attention of Mr Edwards and other volunteers. But it’s a long stretch of bank in their sights.
“We have a few years of work here to do yet. I don’t know how long I’ll be doing it because of my age. Hopefully we will develop the passion (in others) and continue it on,” he said.
Mr Edwards sees himself as a “newcomer” to environmental volunteering. But already he’s made an impact at Cribb Park with the Garden of Eden project.
His inspiration to take this path came from his daughter, who he said was very pleased with the work he has been doing.
“My daughter has been passionately involved in the environment for many years, she is a good help, and encouragement,” he said.
“I’d never done environment (work) before. I had no expertise, no education – I’ve been learning onsite. I have a few people who are experts in the field and I go to them when I want to do something. So I don’t do anything on my own.”
The name ‘Garden of Eden project’ was something Mr Edwards said popped into his head.
“I like how it brings up the idea something beautiful, a garden that is perfect,” he said.
Cribb Park Community Day
Saturday August 4
12pm-5pm
- Plant a tree along the Bremer River
- Go bird watching with an expert
- Free polycraft river tours
- Environmental presentations
- Meet other local volunteer groups
- Find out about being a Habitat Gardens partner with Council
- Children’s activities
Find more information on the Bremer River Network Facebook page
“I like how it brings up the idea of something beautiful, a garden that is perfect.”
– Anthony Edwards, on naming the Garden of Eden project
