Wattles have been around for more than 60 million years, come in nearly 1000 species and are essential for the health of the Australian environment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This weekend Young and District Landcare are all about wattles.
Most people are familiar with the sight in late winter of cascading golden sprays of wattle flowers, heralding the spring and lifting our spirits.
But Young and District Landcare ask how much do people really know about these beautiful, iconic Australian plants ?
There’s still time to book in for their Wattle Day Walk this Sunday, August 30, where attendees can learn all about wattles.
This is the third and final walk presented by mid-Lachlan, Weddin and Young District Landcare Groups and they’re inviting all members of the Young community to come along.
Starting at 9.30am at the Young Services Club, guest presenter Pat Wright will talk about the many lesser known facets of the role that Acacias (or wattles as we know them) have played in the history, and prehistory, of Australia.
Pat will emphasise the aesthetics of these beautiful plants, their uses and their symbolic importance to all Australians.
The title of Pat’s presentation is called ‘celebrate our wattle’.
Pat is a trained adult educator, now retired from the Institute of Technology.
She is also a trained Botanic Guide and Education Ranger at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, taking groups of young people from preschool to university level.
Pat will be accompanied by her husband Warwick, a retired agronomist, educator and trained guide.
A walk at Old Milong - a 2000 hectare grazing and cropping property on the Temora Road, west of Young - will follow.
Owners, Angus Metcalfe and Alex Dalglish, have been fencing off areas of remnant bush, planting tubestock and direct seeding natives every year for the past 15 years.
Mikla Lewis from Young District Landcare will lead the walk, identifying wattle species and discussing their ecological importance.
Participants will receive two free wattle plants grown by local native plant nurseries and wattle-related literature will be available to take home.
People are welcome to bring along wattle specimens for identification.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided, including wattle seed biscuits.
Attendance at the Wattle Walks is free but bookings are necessary.
To secure your place please contact Vanessa Cain on midlachlanlandcare @gmail.com or phone 0405 325 750.
