LAST week Trillion Trees hosted its annual community planting day in Hazelmere, as part of a broader winter restoration effort along the Helena River.

The Mandoon Bilya community planting day event brought together volunteers who planted more than 3000 native sedges, shrubs and ground cover plants to provide habitat for native wildlife especially quenda and snake necked turtles.

Trillion Trees restoration manager Doug Laurie said the organisation was grateful to everyone who turned up and took action for nature by joining the community planting day.

“We have been working together to restore this landscape along the Helena River (Mandoon Bilya) for almost 40 years, and we are seeing real improvements in the health of the ecosystem,” he said.

“We know this river corridor is critical for native wildlife and it’s so awesome to see growing numbers of quenda and snake necked turtles here.”

Trillion Trees Australia has been working in the region for over 40 years, and this site forms part of one of its key Perth wetland restoration projects.

The free community planting days follow a renewed focus on Hazelmere wetlands.

Held during winter when the Helena River flows and the surrounding landscape comes alive, the planting days help support long-term ecosystem restoration, improve biodiversity and strengthen habitat for native wildlife.

The Helena River is a dammed river system that plays an important role in protecting Perth’s drinking water supply.

The river also helps slow water movement through the landscape.

This allows surrounding ecosystems and wetlands to retain moisture and remain hydrated during the warmer months.

The project also supports important native wildlife species, including the south-west snake-necked turtle, which inhabits nearby wetland environments such as Coal Dam Park.

To support the Helena River Appeal, visit their webpage.