Reserve friends are deserving of award

By Laura Gilmartin
THE volunteers of Friends of Glen Fern Valley Bushlands are in the running to win one of the Telstra Environment Awards.
Channel Ten presents the $2000 awards monthly to one environmentally-friendly initiative in each state.
The good news came shortly after the group received an Australia Day certificate of recognition from the Shire of Yarra Ranges for its work.
The group’s president, Ian Rainbow, describes the organisation as ‘deserving’ of the nomination.
“We feel we’re making a very valuable contribution,” he said.
Mr Rainbow said the group’s mission was to improve the quality of the environment, educate local residents and ensure sustainable management for the future to the benefit of the community.
“There are benefits for the environment, it strength-ens the community and the group members are experiencing education and personal development.”
The group’s achievements include the removal of a number of cars which had been dumped in the Glen Fern Valley Bushlands, and weeds that were threatening the reserve’s diverse flora and fauna that includes koalas, migratory birds and 15 state-specific plant species.
“Now people can walk their dogs without the fear of being accosted by the dumping of cars or rubbish,” Mr Rainbow said.
The group has restricted four-wheel drive access and situated fencing around the 40ha green corridor, which forms a buffer between the flat lands and hills suburbs.
Upwey residents Sarah Tebbutt and Serg Zaccaria founded Friends of Glen Fern Valley Bushlands in 2001, after witnessing the high level of pollution in the area.
If chosen, Mr Rainbow said the group would spend the prize money on a tools trailer and running costs, with the intention of completing restoration efforts in the reserve within five years.
Channel Ten will announce the winners of the Telstra Environment Awards later this month.