Rangers were kept warm today burning piles of willow along Middle Creek. Twelve large piles of dry wood created quite a chain of bonfires along the creek, in perfect burning weather.

Hundreds of the prolific woody weeds were cut over the summer as part of a willow removal program instigated by the Baranduda Landcare group. Removal and destruction of the willows clears the way for planting activities scheduled for winter.

Baranduda Landcare has been working with the community and schools to raise awareness of natural resource management and biodiversity with a range of projects but particularly via the annual Planet Ark week of revegetation of local roadsides and reserves. In 2012 the group received Victorian Government funding under the Communities for Nature program for a major restoration works on Middle Creek. The restoration project includes removal of weeds – willow in particular – and planting with local native species to create habitat for native wildlife. A community planting day is to be held on National Tree day to revegetate this area.