Young people in the Adelaide Hills region are set to help give a new lease of life to the Gumeracha Walking Trail in the Mt Crawford Forest Reserve, under a new Green Corps program being launched in the Adelaide Hills by leading community services group, Mission Australia.

Mission Australia’s State Manager Mark Herselman said the conservation program for the picturesque walking trail is being run in partnership with the Adelaide Hills Council and Forestry SA, and would begin in this month (February 2007).

“The Gumeracha Walking Trail project, will not only deliver community and conservation benefits but provide valuable local training for young people in a range of skills,” Mr Herselman said.

The 26 week program, to involve ten local participants aged from 17-20 years old, will 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:

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. Another, based in the Riverland, is close to completion.

“We’re expecting strong interest from young people in Gumeracha and surrounding areas wanting to be involved in the project,” Mr Herselman said. “This is a great opportunity for them to develop skills in a range of fields, from horticulture to masonry, planning and design – and it will also help address the regional skills shortage.”

For more information, please contact:

Mark Herselman, Mission Australia State Manager, (08) 8218 2800 or 0403 183 002