An exciting new Green Corps project to give a new lease of life to the Gumeracha Walking Trail in the Mt Crawford Forest Reserve and to help young people develop new employment skills is to be launched on Friday by Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

Ten volunteers have now been selected for the innovative environmental program which will also assist with research to protect the Banksia Marginata, a species in decline in the area due to the introduction to the environment of the bumblebee.

The project, being run by leading community and employment service organisation, Mission Australia, in partnership with the Adelaide Hills Council and Forestry SA, will be officially launched by Mr Downer on Friday, March 23 at 2pm at the Torrens Valley Community Centre, in Main Street, Gumeracha.

Mission Australia State Manager Mark Herselman said the 26 week program would involve:

• improving biodiversity
• installing protective fencing to help endangered species
• protecting native vegetation areas by removing feral pine trees
• improving and containing visitor access through upgrading walking trails and signage, and
• propagating local native plants:

“We’re thrilled to be involved in such important work to preserve the character and diversity of the Adelaide Hills,” Mr Herselman said. “We’ve also been really pleased by the interest in the program, attracting a group of participants from near and far to be involved.”

Green Corps is an Australian Government youth development and environmental training program, administered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Heritage.

It provides young people with the opportunity to volunteer their time and effort to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Participants receive a training allowance, uniforms, safety equipment and nationally accredited training (Certificate 2 in Horticulture, Senior First Aid Certificate) in return for their commitment.

The Gumeracha Walking Trail is one of six community conservation projects being launched for 2007 by Mission Australia across South Australia.

Media are welcome to attend the launch.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Herselman, Mission Australia State Manager, (08) 8218 2800 or 0403 183 002 or Chris Rann, Rann Communication, (08) 8211 7771