Introduction

Many millions of trees are planted every year in Australia. The trees help to remove and store the greenhouse gas called carbon dioxide. Revegetation is more than just planting trees. It includes:

Replanting an ecosystem, with trees shrubs, grasses, creepers and wildflowers. This kind of planting will create homes for many animals and help restore the biodiversity in an area.
Restoring an area by removing weeds from around the indigenous plants and planting more local plants among the gaps.
Using the local indigenous plants. The seeds and cuttings used to propagate the plants come from local areas whenever it is possible.
Maintaining the area to keep it free from weeds and other problems after an area has been planted.

Consult your local indigenous nursery - getting their help is a great way to find out specific information. The indigenous nursery will need to know what kind of ecosystem you want to establish and this will guide the choice of plants.

See what other schools are doing by exploring a case studyhere.

Types of revegetation projects

At your school

Many schools plant ecosystems on their school grounds. Students get to benefit from the revegetation project and the animals the ecosystem attracts. It is easier for students to do the work and maintenance because they don’t need to leave the school.

With a partner outside the school

Most communities will have a number of revegetation projects in progress. By working with a partner, you will have access to a lot of expertise. The partner will probably do most of the planning and have a source of funding. However, you will need to negotiate with the partner so that you are involved in the planning process.

Going it alone outside the school

Your school may want to restore an area outside the school and source its own funding, prepare, then mulch and plant the site. The school may need to or want to go it alone without a partner.

Summary of steps for a revegetation project

1.   Identify the site you want to revegetate.
2.   Obtain permission from the person or body that controls the land.
3.   Plan how the project will work, what kind of ecosystem will be created and include a budget. Find the most suitable time in the season to plant.
4.   Decide on the type of plants, species and numbers depending on the area to be planted (get help from the closest indigenous nursery).
5.   Order plants from your closest indigenous nursery. Plants may need to be ordered four or more months in advance if the project has special needs.
6.   Control weeds and allow four weeks for spraying to take effect.
7.   Mulch needs to be ordered and the area covered once the weeds are controlled.
8.   Identify planting tools and watering equipment that will be needed. Find out where the tools can be borrowed. Students will need some training to plant the tubes.
9.   Maintenance will need to be arranged for the future to remove weeds and look after the plants.

The Site

Identify site

If you don’t already have a site to revegetate, start by asking your school community if there is an opportunity on your school grounds. If you are looking for a site outside the school, start investigating locations that are within walking distance from school. Avoid areas that are full of dangerous litter or may have toxic soils.

Obtain permission

You must always obtain permission from the person or body that controls the land. They will probably want to see your final plan and may wish to give their own input, but ask if they are favourable to your ideas before you start planning.

Plan the revegetation project

Every project will be different. These are some of the things that need to be considered when planning the project:

1. Work out your timeline.
Start by asking your local indigenous nursery how much notice they need for a plant order. You will need four weeks for weed control. Students are not allowed to spray weeds, so a contractor could be hired or parents could do the spraying. If parents do the spraying, equipment is needed and chemicals need to be purchased. Based on this, when is the best time to plant?

2. How much area needs to be planted?
- You will probably need two plants per square metre.
- You will need 10cm of mulch to cover the ground, so a cubic metre of mulch will cover 10 square metres.

3. Draw a scale plan of how the project will look.
Show areas that may be open with no trees, heavily treed areas, paths, etc. Make notes about the local area including soil and slope.

4. Where will the equipment such as wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes come from?
When planting, identify from where equipment can be borrowed and how plants will be watered.

1. Decide on plants

The three most important things to consider are:
- What kind of ecosystem do you intend to create: forest, woodland, grassland, combination, etc.?
- How many plants are needed? Many revegetation projects plant four plants per square metre. (notes: Students usually manage to plant two plants per square metre.
- It is easiest to get help from you local indigenous nursery. Tell them the kind of ecosystem you want to create, show them your plan and tell them the location and type of soil. An example of what could be planted in a 16 square metre area is:
a. One tree (most trees should be smaller varieties)
b. Two shrubs
c. Two types of grasse
d. Nine other small plants.

What you need to know:

The basics:

•   Get an adult to check the site for dangerous objects and any other safety issues.
•   Make sure plants are delivered.
•   Make sure tools are delivered.
•   Make sure students have access to water and buckets
•   Have a plan B if the weather is really bad.
•   Train students to use the tools safely and how to put plants into the ground using the tools. Work out the steps needed to put in a plant:

Scoop mulch away from the ground where it is to be planted.
Use tool to make hole.
Wet the roots of the plant in the tube.
Carefully drop plant out of the tube.
Put plant in the hole so that the potting soil does not stick above the ground or the stem is covered in soil.
Pack some earth to fill the hole (depends on tools being used).
Replace mulch, but leave a hollow so the mulch does not cover the plant.
Give the plant a long drink of water.
You may have guards or stakes to protect the plants.
Have one person who places the plants where they will be planted.
Organise the planting so students need to walk over freshly planted areas.
Only put out a few plants at a time, making sure there are about two plants per square metre.
Distribute the plant species so it reflects the planned ecosystem, paths, etc.
After the planting, clean up the site, gather the empty pots and all the tools.

Maintenance and monitoring

The area needs to be kept free of weeds for at least the first three years. Students can hand-weed smaller areas. If students are not sure which plants are weeds, they can remove one species of weed from the area at a time.

There are many ways the revegetation project can be monitored. Students can measure the growth of plants, the change in animal species, measure microclimates, changes in soil, etc.

Safety hints

In your safety plan make sure that all of the following are included:

•   Students are not allowed to do any spraying with chemicals.
•   Every time students are to work in an area, it must be checked by an adult for any possible hazards.
•   Students will need to learn how to use tools safely, including establishing a safe distance to work between one other.
•   When working outdoors students will need to be protected from the sun and any bad weather.
•   When working outdoors students will need to have a supply of water. A strategy is needed so water bottles and cups are not shared.

(adapted from AUSMEPA Leadership program)

Biodiversity revegetation project

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