The project was part of the partnership between Greening Australia and the university, which was formed to assist planning of large-scale habitat restoration projects.

Greening Australia’s Habitat 141 project officer Jess Gardner said the students came to the Wimmera last week to help with soil sampling and native vegetation surveys at a property at Nurcoung, which was earmarked for future revegetation.

Nurcoung is one of many carbon restoration sites that form part of Habitat 141, a project for vegetation along the South Australian and Victorian border into NSW.

“Habitat 141 seeks to restore, protect and re-connect isolated patches of native vegetation from the ocean, down near Portland, to the outback beyond the Murray,” Ms Gardner said.

“Scientists and natural resource practitioners all agree that allowing species to move through the landscape via natural corridors gives them the best chance of survival into the future. 

“The property out at Nurcoung, once revegetated, will greatly assist species to be able to move between Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park and the Little Desert National Park.”

Ms Gardner said students learnt how to use GPS handheld units in the field, soil sampling, vegetation survey techniques and plant identification. 

She said she would like to hear from other Wimmera landholders who wished to have a revegetation project on their properties.

She said people could call her on 0437 958 259 or email jgardner@gavic.org.au for more information.