Green Guide training helps rangers protect Alps

More than 25 ACT Parks and Conservation Service rangers will take part in alpine rehabilitation training which promotes best-practice techniques in areas such as seedling propagation, planting techniques, and bog and stream protection.

The training will include practical sessions to provide rangers with hands-on learning in revegetation techniques specific to high-altitude regions of Australia.

Ranger in Charge of ACT Parks and Conservation Service Murrumbidgee River Corridor, Shelley Swain, said the training is part of the roll out the Australian Alps National Parks Rehabilitation Field Guide, also known at the Green Book.

Swain explained "the Green Book is a cross-border initiative supported by the Australian Alps Liaison Committee, and we are excited to host our colleagues from National Parks and Wildlife Service, Queanbeyan, at the training sessions.

"There is a memorandum of understanding between the ACT, NSW, Victoria and Australian Government national park agencies to cooperatively manage the Australian Alps, which contain unique flora and fauna and Australia's only mountain peaks exceeding 2,000 metres.

"The Green Book is for staff who are directly involved in rehabilitation work in alpine areas. This guide is another tool to help us work together to preserve this special part of Australia, by providing specific guidelines for managing successful rehabilitation projects.

"Each day will start at Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre and then move to a number of rehabilitation sites in the area, so participants can gain hands-on experience in rehabilitation processes.

"In the field our rangers will learn to assess sites for environmental issues and long-term management challenges, such as weed infestation and potential impacts of climatic changes, before completing planting and mulching activities.

"We are hoping the training sessions will give our staff a full understanding of the how to use the Green Book and therefore help protect the Australian Alps long into the future."

The first of two training sessions was held on Wednesday 26th March with the second to be held on Wednesday 11th June 2014.