Nymboida residents are taking advantage of the current wet weather, getting out and planting trees in areas devastated by last years bushfires.
The trees were donated free of charge by Lee Scarlett, coordinator at Townsend Community Nursery who recognized a need for regeneration in these ravaged communities.
In the year since the fires Mr Scarlett has donated 5,000 koala food trees and other native species to areas such as Nymboida, Ashby, Tullymorgan, Shark Creek, Waterview Heights and Lawrence.
“I felt I had to do something to help, at the very least grow some koala trees,” said Mr Scarlett.
Karyn Bretnall, a resident of Nymboida said that Mr Scarlett not only recognized the need for the environment but he also understood the benefits that the community would receive through his generous donation of trees.
“The trees are amazing,” said Ms Bretnall. “They are so green, vibrant and healthy.”
“It’s so exciting to see everyone full of enthusiasm, we’re all ready to get out there and get planting.”
“The people here in Nymboida have lost so much and are working so hard to put their lives back together. After the fires there were just black sticks and destruction everywhere, it was awful.”
“We have been waiting to see what would come back, this gift of trees gives us all a boost and helps people replace something of what they have lost,” said Ms Bretnall.
Clarence Valley Council assisted the community by delivering the trees to Nymboida. Reece Luxton, Natural Resource Management and Project Coordinator said that the community reached out, asking how they could transport the 890 trees to Nymboida.
“We were happy to do whatever we could to help with this project,” said Mr Luxton.
“Replanting in the Nymboida catchment has a much broader benefit to the Clarence Valley.”
“The water supply for Coffs Harbour and the Clarence Valley is sourced from the Nymboida River, so any planting in the catchment has benefit, by protecting the waterway and enhancing the quality of water that we extract from the Nymboida River,” said Mr Luxton.
Some landholders are using this donation of trees to shore up the river banks and prevent erosion in the gullies and waterways. Some are replanting avenues of shade trees to replace the old, burnt trees that had once welcomed them home. Others are planting for the wildlife, to create corridors, food and shelter.
But all of them are planting for a greener future, a future that is filled with optimism and hope.
