Press Release : Local Jemena branch supports vital growth at Community Reserve

The local branch of national company Jemena is supporting Basalt to Bay Landcare group activities to restore native vegetation at Tozer Reserve.

Leading national utility infrastructure services company Jemena – as part of their community partnership program with Landcare Australia – will fund the planting of 4,500 trees, shrubs and native grasses, as well as helping to improve walking tracks and vehicle access to the reserve.

Located on Wangoom Road, the Tozer Reserve provides hands-on educational experience for students through local school environmental programs. Tozer Reserve is jointly owned by Warrnambool Primary School, Warrnambool College and Brauer College.

Warrnambool Primary School Principal Peter Ocatel said “Children love coming out to Tozer Reserve and are always surprised by the changes in the vegetation once they visit”.

The 20 hectare site was formerly a pine plantation and grazing block but is now home to many rare native orchards, shrubs and frogs.

Confirming the significance of flora within the reserve, Basalt to Bay Chairman Tim Bligh said “While there are small amounts of coastal scrub around Warrnambool, there is no other grassy woodland with the scale and diversity of Tozer within the Warrnambool City Council boundary.”

Jemena’s partnership with Landcare through their Vital Service, Vital Planet community partnership program reflects their ongoing focus to provide local support for environmental initiatives.

On Friday October 9^th, 90 students from Warrnambool Primary School, along with volunteers from the Basalt to Bay Landcare Network planted 2,500 ghrasses, shrubs and trees.

Basalt to Bay Coordinator Richard Hudson said that “The contribution that Jemena has made to Tozer Reserve really helps improve the site’s educational potential.”