Wetland warrior Jade Paton has been recognised for her ongoing commitment to the local environment at the NSW Landcare Conference held in Albury at the end of October.
The 24-year-old was named one of three Young Landcare Leaders at the event after scooping the regional title at the Greater Sydney Landcare Forum earlier this year.
She started in environment care when a friend joined the Green Army and she did too, soon running her own team called Wetland Warriors, from May to October last year. That work ignited a love of wetlands. When the Green Army was shut down, she took up with Landcare and Hawkesbury Environment Network.
“I never understood how key wetlands are to our environment. I was so blown away when I first saw Bushells Lagoon [at Freemans Reach]. It’s massive – 75ha big!”
Her love of regenerating wetlands led to her enrolling in a Bachelor of Environment at Macquarie University this year. “I love it! It’s so amazing! It’s perfect.” She said she wants to get into community engagement to excite them about the environment.
Greater Sydney Regional Landcare facilitator Vanessa Keyzer said Jade was committed to addressing erosion issues and the high numbers of carp throughout the Hawkesbury wetlands. “She’s used innovative restoration practices that have not been used before,” she said. “Together with her green army team, they engaged local landholders and began fencing off the wetland from stock and establishing new reed beds wrapped in protective cages to try to stop carp damage.
“Other work the team tackled included birdwatching, water testing and the construction of fish hotels to protect native fish from over-predation by birds.”
Jade’s work with the Wetland Warriors, the name of which she has retained, has included the production of a logo, newsletter and Facebook page.
“Her voluntary work in speaking out and connecting with other groups is a constant inspiration to others,” Ms Keyzer said. “The group has now become involved in protection of waterfowl at Pughs Lagoon where black swans in particular are at risk from inappropriate feeding.”
Jade said she hoped her award would encourage other local young people to be more involved and aware of the need to protect their surrounding environment.
“Landcare is not just for retirees, it is a fantastic way for both young and old to meet new people, stay fit and give something back,” she said.
“It is up to us as the next generation to be more involved in protecting our beautiful natural assets.”
