Euroa Arboretum - Granite2Goulburn Network
Facilitator: Cathy Olive (Director), Charlotte Langman (Facilitator)
Contact Details:
charlotte.langman@euroaarboretum.com.au
Description:
Spanning 27 hectares, the Euroa Arboretum offers a unique experience to spend time in the natural environment of northeastern Victoria. Established in 1990 the Euroa Arboretum has become a beloved destination for visitors wanting an outdoor experience as well as being a leading service provider of ecological restoration supplies and information.
Originally the depot site for the freeway work to by-pass Euroa, the land was handed over by VicRoads to the local community. A volunteer Committee of Management was forged and transformed it to a beautiful park of woodland and wetland environments, walking tracks, picnic areas and an indigenous plant nursery.
The Arboretum’s motto is Growing back the bush and one of the main objectives of the Arboretum is to provide seed for revegetation work. The Euroa Arboretum supports local Landcare and Environment groups and holds a range of events. They support the Euroa Environment Group, Friends of the Sevens, Honeysuckle Recreation and Environment Project, Avenel Action Group and the Biolinks Alliance.
The Euroa Arboretum at a glance in 2024/25
A motivated and connected community leads to positive change
The Euroa Arboretum were successful with two Victorian Landcare Grants from the State Government provided $35,390.00 for Engagement events and Revegetation.
Seed - From little things, big things grow
All our restoration efforts begin with seed. Seed provides capacity for climate adaptation, diversity restoration, traditional food and medicine - and yet who considers seed or the hope encapsulated in that tiny package. We chose to tell the story of seed. We dedicated music, we created and publicly displayed art work, we wrote poetry and stories and celebrated the beauty and hope of seed. We did not admonish or brow beat but chose a path to engage and capture the public attention. As a result, we have been on regional and national radio, spoken at conferences and to politicians. People listened.
We live in a time where many people are experiencing environmental grief and anxiety. Many of our volunteers join us describing feelings of overwhelm and depression. Seed is a good news story. Seed brings hope. Seed brings something positive to do and contribute when all else seems despairing. This project gave a time for reflection, looking our environmental grief in the face and choosing to do something positive, uplifting and nurturing.
We desperately need to increase investment into seed orchards and seedbanks to meet the burgeoning demand for seed supply. We currently have the capacity to meet 10% of the demand for revegetation by 2035. However, after 3 years of constant lobbying, it appears to be falling on deaf ears at all government levels, and the community are largely in the dark about the shortage of seed, or even the importance of seed. Raising awareness about seed, how precious seed is, and the importance to conserve and caretake seed is critical for any of our restoration efforts.