"For kids, if they come along on the day, they can see the end result when the tree grows in 10 or 15 years, even bring their own kids along."
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That's the pitch from Alfredton Rotary Club's David Sanders, who has organised a tree planting day at the Winter Swamp, also known as the Mullawallah Wetlands, on Monday.
Part of the Earth Day initiative, Mr Sanders is aiming to plant 500 trees on a Crown land reserve near the Link Road in Alfredton.
Once the trees are grown, they'll provide screening from future industrial areas, as well as a habitat for native birds.
Plus, children can return year after year to see the trees grow with them - he said they could write their names on the stakes to remember where they planted them.
"We've got approval from Council to plant some trees, and we're working with the Ballarat Environment Network and the Aboriginal group involved in the swamp, and the Landcare group," Mr Sanders explained.
"Our thoughts are to try and beautify the area, it's a bit of no-man's land."
Everyone is welcome to help out at the reserve on the day, with the Rotary Club organising a barbecue as well.
Rotary Club president Lee Pywell said the club had big plans for the area, which is adjacent to birdwatching hides.
"It backs onto Winter Swamp, that's the bit we want to protect, and get the locals involved in understanding it's there - we're hoping there'll eventually be a walkway through," she said.
"There's some endangered frogs in there, and there's a bird watching group that utilise the Winter Swamp area, it'd be great to get more people passionate about what they do."
The sense of community ownership for the area is key to the on-going project.
Ms Pywell noted Rotary parks in other towns withered after the Rotary Club became unable to manage them, but she's hoping having a long-term plan and involving people at every stage will keep the momentum going.
"If we get beyond planting trees to a park we can make us, that's ideal, then we'd work with Council to create a park in this area, with the community on board," she said.
The morning will begin at 10am with a safety briefing.
People should wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.
There will be parking off the service road from Remembrance Drive, and people are encouraged not to park next to the Link Road.
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