THE state government’s ‘community gardens grants program’ will allow the Darlington community garden and Trillion Trees in Midland to expand their public spaces, allowing more people in the community to connect and get into nature.

The groups received more than $18,000 collectively to build new community-focused spaces.

Darlington community garden will develop a design and construction plan for a community meeting place.

Trillion Trees will construct a new wetland garden as an educational habitat, which will be open to the public and host informative workshops about caring for wetland flora and fauna for school groups and the community.

Darlington community garden coordinator and Trillion Trees engagement officer Kate Herren said both projects would benefit their local communities and enhance their connection to nature.

“I think the combination of protecting and restoring our natural environment while connecting with so many lovely people is the best thing,” she said.

“Shared green spaces are so important to communities; public green spaces provide places for communities to gather, celebrate, socialise, play and relax.

“Access to green space is hugely important for mental health and wellbeing, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting positive moods.”

Ms Herren said she hoped the new space within the Darlington community garden would act as a new community hub.

“The deck will be open to the community to share and enjoy the shaded space,” she said.

“It can also be used for community meetings, workshops and children’s educational activities, and the funding will allow us to employ a range of small local businesses and support the local economy.”

With both organisations being not-for-profit and community and volunteer driven, Ms Herren said the grant money would allow the planned projects to progress rapidly and be available to the community sooner, rather than taking the time to plan and deliver fundraising campaigns to make them happen.

“The Trillion Trees project will engage volunteers and community members, under the supervision of local landscape designer Kylie Brinfield, in the creation and ongoing management of a wetland wildlife garden,” she said.

“Workshops are important for building knowledge and connecting communities as they come together to learn.

“Participating in workshops equips people with information and knowledge to share with their communities about how to protect and restore natural environments, the importance of wildlife in balanced ecosystems and so on.

“The workshops will be aimed at adults and children and topics could include designing a frog-friendly garden or how to make natural water features.

“Education is really important for young people as we seek to nurture the next generation of environmental advocates.”