Willunga Environment Centre Tree Trails
The Willunga Tree Trail Project was the first volunteer-led Citizen Science project of its kind in South Australia.This program was generously supported by The City of Onkaparinga Council. Information tags have been placed on 28 identified trees within in the Willunga Township.
Download the Willunga Tree Trail brochure HERE.
The great success of this program led to a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) which enabled a second tree trail called the Kangarilla Tree trail. Information tags have been placed on 26 trees in the Kangarilla area.
Download the Kangarilla Tree Trail brochure HERE.
Most recently the McLaren Vale Cellar Door Tree trail was established and was funded by a grant from the the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Grass Roots program and funding from the participating wineries.
With the latest program, information tags have been placed on 54 identified trees at 14 Cellar Doors in the McLaren Vale Wine Region.
Download the McLaren Vale Tree Trail brochure HERE.
ATDW (Australian Tourism Data Warehouse) listing for McLaren Vale Cellar Door Tree Trail
The tags show the importance of the tree in relation to biodiversity factors such as how much shade the tree provides, how much oxygen is provided over a year and how much carbon dioxide is removed. Each tree is named, both with its common name and scientific name.
Resources
The Willunga Environment Centre has some great resources available for FREE to the community. Please call 8556 4188, or drop into the centre to discuss how you may best access these.
Some of the services we provide include:
Workshops,Guest Speakers and Forums
Recycling Centre for;
- Flouro globes
- aluminium foil
- mobile phones
- corks, plastic bottle tops, particularly #2&4&5. and wine bottle tops but please remove the plastic insert first!
- bread tags
- bottles and cans which support our YACCA programs.
- drop off point for terracycle oral care products, Disposable Razors Learn about at this link terracycle
- "Unplug and drop" off point for Electronic Recycling Australia is currently available at McLaren Vale Recycling Centre
- Writing implements can now be dropped at Officeworks in household quantities
We also have
- A broad range of Natural Resources Management brochures and fact sheets
- A Free library with a huge range of books, dvd's and magazines
- Free or paid room hire for groups and meetings with access to data projector/screen (Current Capacity 20)
- Equipment loans home energy audit kit
- A Referral service for Government agencies, local action groups and NRM services
- A Swap box where you bring in books, magazines etc and swap them for other publications
- Large range of publications for sale either as gifts or for your own library
- Tourist information service
Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer role?
The Willunga Environment Centre could not be successful without its passionate and highly motivated volunteers. We are always seeking new volunteers who are looking to make a difference, big or small.
Volunteering is a great way to make that difference, gain experience, develop your skills, make friends and network with likeminded people.
Perhaps you have some free time and want to make a contribution to your local environment and community, or you are a student wanting some work experience? Come in and see us or email us at:
A lot of our volunteers come to us to help out, and then start projects of their own. Examples of this are M - Tree Trail Project, now expanded to Kangarilla and McLaren Vale cellar doors, V - Boomerang Bag sewing group, now expanded to Stitch 'n fix, and J - Bottle top collection throughout the village! Not only do these people start projects, they involve others and form vibrant groups of people around them. We value all contributions, large and small. And you don't have to be a gymnast to join, we have active, sedentary and less sedentary people who all play a role!
Current vacancies include but are not limited to:
Gardener- 1or 2 hours a fortnight or more if you have a project!
Web Page maintenance: 1-2 hours per week
Creativity Guru: As often as you like to update displays and boards about the centre
Recycling supervisor - to come in and check our recycling, send boxes off, call for collection etc
General Cleaner - to keep our other volunteers company while removing dust and cobwebs so we always look and smell fresh! Very important :-)
The Willunga and districts communites are proud of our army of local Environmental Groups and individuals. If you're thinking of getting involved in an environmental group, please come in and have a chat to us about some of the great local groups to join!
About the Willunga Environment Centre
The Willunga Environment Centre is located in the thriving village of Willunga on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The township is surrounded by the coast and vines, and offers a diverse range of successes and challenges when it comes to good Environmental Practices.
The Centre was first established in 1995 as the "Willunga Landcare Group" to provide a community based information and liaison service to support local groups.
In August 2005, the Centre expanded as part of the new Australian wide program of integrated Natural Resource Management. On October the 1st 2005, a new committee took over the management and gave the Centre the new name "Willunga Environment Centre Inc".
The Centre is one of eight Natural Resource Centres/ Environment Centres funded by Landscapes SA Hills and Fleurieu Board and Greener Adelaide. The centre is staffed by volunteers and a part time Manager.
Since its rebirth as the Willunga Environment Centre Inc, the service has become a thriving centre for community to access up to the minute information on Natural Resources, including topics such as recycling, weed management, biodiversity and conservation and land management. The centre also offers a broad range of brochures, resources and equipment, as well as providing workshops and public forums. WEC operates as a tourist information centre.
The WEC supports local action groups and individuals creating a difference, including Willunga Hills Face Landcare Group, Trees for Life, Bush for Life, Friends of Willunga Basin, Friends of Aldinga Scrub, Lets South, Willunga Basin Walking Trail , Time for Life, Folk of all trades, and work closely with Onkapringa Council. We also carry a wide range of brochures about these and other groups.
The WEC is home to YACCA, our youth group (youth and community in conservation action), a group of dedicated young environmentalists from 12-19 who meet regularly at the centre and beyond.
We have regular sewing bees to create shopping bags worthy of design medals! We also run a stitch n' fix program where you can learn new sewing skills! Watch our events page.
We are home of the Willunga and Kangarilla Tree Trail Projects, and the McLaren Vale Cellar door trail. See the brochure on our home page.