Little Hands Making a Big Difference at Mullum Wetlands

Up2Us Landcare Alliance recently joined Mansfield Kindergarten’s 4-year-old Earth Kinder group for their seasonal planting session at the Mullum Wetlands. This annual winter event has become a tradition, with children enthusiastically helping to plant indigenous shrubs and grasses near the bird hide.

The young participants eagerly tackled every part of the planting process—digging holes, watering in seedlings, hammering in stakes, and placing protective guards to keep the plants safe from local wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and rabbits.

This session marks the third consecutive year of plantings in this area, and it’s rewarding to see how much growth has occurred. The aim is to increase vegetation diversity using local native species, supporting bird and arboreal mammal habitat, improving water quality, preventing erosion, and turning a previously dull drain line into a ribbon of green for woodland birds and arboreal mammals.

Up2Us staff, Kim and Rhiannon, spoke with the children about the importance of planting for nature, beauty, and environmental function. The kids showed a strong understanding of the concepts and easily made connections to the surrounding environment.

The Earth Kinder program also weaves in acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and caring for Country—key values that align perfectly with Up2Us' goals.

These hands-on experiences plant seeds of environmental stewardship for years to come.