Local environmental project Yarra4Life, which helps protect and provide habitat for native plant and animal species, has secured significant financial support from award-winning local winery Coldstream Hills.
The 'Yarra4Life Biolink' project aims to establish a web of habitat corridors connecting the Yellingbo Reserve with other parks to help protect and provide habitat for Victoria?s threatened bird emblem, the Helmeted Honeyeater, and other important local species. The project is run by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority.
Coldstream Hills Winery is one of Australia?s leading small wineries, collecting accolades from Australia and overseas. It is now increasing its commitment to environmental stewardship within the Yarra Valley.
Coldstream Hills will provide $20,000 to the Yarra4Life Biolink for plantings in the area neighbouring its vineyard. Coldstream Hills? investment will improve the connectivity, resilience and health of the local habitat.
Yarra4Life Coordinator Greg Milne explains the importance of this investment.
"Looking after the best biodiversity we have on Melbourne?s doorstep is really difficult without partners such as Coldstream Hills adding their support to the efforts of community, industry and government.
"Historically, Helmeted Honeyeaters were present in this area, which adjoins Warramate Nature Conservation Reserve. The Yarra4Life Biolink gives them, and other native species, a chance to return to the area," Greg explained.
Coldstream Hills Winemaker Andrew Fleming says commitment to the environment is important to the winery.
"Our environment is very important to us at Coldstream Hills. We use collected rainwater at our winery and we recycle everything we can from waste water to all winery consumables. We?re delighted to support the establishment of a biolink which borders our winery and vineyards,? said Coldstream Hills Winemaker Andrew Fleming.
The winery takes its environmental responsibility seriously and is committed to minimising its impact on the local environment. The winery maintains 47 hectares of native forest on site and has established an environmental management plan that includes an approach to water use including the collection of rainwater, a waste water treatment plant, recycling of winery consumables and a significant reduction in power usage in recent years.
Significantly the winery is located in a key part of the Yarra4Life area and is already home to native species including kangaroos, echidnas, wombats and wedge-tailed eagles.
"This is an important partnership for Yarra4Life. Coldstream Hills is located on the edge of the Warramate Nature Conservation Reserve ? a biodiversity hot spot and an important stepping stone in the Yarra4Life Biolink. We look forward to the range of benefits this partnership will bring to the local environment and community,? said yarra4Life Coordinator Greg Milne.
A Yarra4Life Committee comprising people from local community groups, agricultural industries, the local council, government agencies and environmental groups oversees the project and enables all of those organizations to work together to improve the landscape.
Andrew Fleming will present the $20,000 Biolink donation to the Yarra4Life Committee, on Tuesday 18 November at Coldstream Hills winery.
|