Nature Valley and Landcare Australia partner to rejuvenate bushfire affected walking trails

The launch of a Nature Valley Trails Landcare Grants program sees Nature Valley (a General Mills food brand) partnering with Landcare Australia to support the rejuvenation of bushfire affected walking trails in New South Wales and South Australia.

The Nature Valley Trails Landcare Grants program will enable two not-for-profit environmental conservation groups to rejuvenate nature trails in New South Wales’ midnorth coast and South Australia’s Adelaide Hills.

The two grants, a combined total of $80,000 in funding from Nature Valley, will enable Nambucca Valley Landcare and Friends of Lobethal Bushland Park to create safe, quality, walking experiences so communities can get out and enjoy these beautiful natural areas.

Nature Valley Brand Manager, Lane Cahalan advised “we are very excited to launch this new program. At Nature Valley we stand for enabling people to connect and experience the magic of nature. After what has been a tough year for so many, we are passionate about helping communities get out more and give back so we can all experience the wonders of the great outdoors.”

Across Australia, Landcare Australia’s partnerships support thousands of people who are volunteering to protect local ecosystems that contribute to the sustainability and productivity of land and water assets for the benefit of all Australians.

Landcare Australia Head of Corporate Partnerships, James Link notes “the generous support Nature Valley is providing to help local communities rejuvenate these bushfire impacted walking trails is instrumental in facilitating community lead bushfire recovery and providing opportunities for locals to have positive experiences in nature.”

The projects which will take place from now until mid-2021 include:

Nambucca Heads, NSW: The Summit to Sea Walking Track is a 12km trail connecting the summit of Mt Yarrahapinni to the coast at Grassy Head. When 68% of the Nambucca Valley was impacted by the 2019 bushfires, this trail was one of the last areas for animals to seek refuge. As the fires did not directly affect the trail itself, it remains one of the last pockets of rainforest in the area.

This project will enable Nambucca Valley Landcare in collaboration with National Parks and Wildlife Service, Nambucca Valley Council and local schools, to enhance accessibility along the track by  adding boardwalks, steps and managing vegetation. When the Track officially reopens in September 2021, it will be safe for walkers, providing them with the best quality experience to connect to nature in this park that is highly significant to the Dunghutti, Ngambaa and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people.

Lobethal Bushland Park, SA: The Cudlee Creek bushfires in December 2019 burnt Lobethal Bushland Park with such heat and intensity that the park suffered an unprecedented 95% loss of flora. The Nature Valley Trails Landcare Grant is funding The Friends of Lobethal Bushland Park Group to purchase materials for building a 250-metre boardwalk and other restoration work. The project will also provide urgently needed soil stabilisation works to reduce the effects of erosion on existing trails and lessen the threat of Phytophthora (a destructive soil-borne water mould) infecting native plants in this extremely sensitive post-fire landscape.

The Group will work with the Adelaide Hills Council (Park landowners) who will provide the labour for the path improvements. When the project is completed, local residents and nature lovers from all over South Australia and beyond will be able to enjoy safely walking through this magnificent bushland park.

Image top: A Nature Valley Trails Landcare Grant is enabling the Nambucca Heads Landcare Group to rejuvenate the Summit to Sea Walking Track in Mt Yarrahapinni National Park and image above product marketing showing the Nature Valley and Landcare Australia partnership