Rubbish for The South West/Call for Green Army

Yesterday The Warrnambool Standard published an article on rubbnish being dumped at Levi's Point in Warrnambool. Don McTaggart - Basalt to Bay Landcare Network committee member and Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Leader had some revealing comments to make about the extent of dumping and the impact on native wildlife. In the past Don has also organised clean up the Merri days - which has seen everything from bicycles, shopping trolleys and cars removed from the river. Despite the best efforts of Landcare in the region, it seems that there will always be people who see the natural world as as their own private rubbish dump.

http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/this-is-not-a-rubbish-dump/1729110.aspx

On another issue, Tony Abbott has suggested the creation of a 15,ooo strong Green Army to remove weeds and revegetate the landscape : http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201001/s2795954.htm . This type of consciption based mandatory environmental service for young people, is a great idea for taking Landcare back to the grass roots and giving responsibility back to ordinary people.

The idea connects well with the Elixir Project - an environmental volunteerism project that I hope will grow legs this year and begin connecting people in community based welfare agencies to onground environmental projects. For further information on the project see here : http://swevi.wordpress.com/ .