People at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) have propagated around 3,000 native plants over the past year to help Murrumbateman Landcare Group (MLG) restore endangered grassy woodlands in the Yass region.
The species - including various eucalypts, wattles, shrubs and groundcovers - were chosen by the MLG for their ability to withstand future climate conditions. The native tubestock plants were grown as seeds from both local and non-local sources to ensure genetic diversity and improve soil health on both private and public lands in the Murrumbateman region.
The seven people employed in the AMC's Production Nursery and Horticulture Program have mastered various propagation techniques, including hot and smoke-water treatment as well as cold stratification, ensuring the plants' optimal germination and resilience.
Minister for Corrections and Justice Health Emma Davidson said this program is just one of several opportunities offered to people at the AMC to learn new skills, build confidence and give back to their community.
"Everyone has the power to make our environment more resilient to better respond to the climate crisis," Minister Davidson said.
"There are commercial grow houses and stock gardens in AMC to empower those who care about our environment to take meaningful action and be part of the collective community effort to keep the ACT region's environment thriving
"Programs like this help people learn and build new skills, explore their interests, and connect with the broader community. When people have opportunities like this, they feel a stronger sense of belonging, respect, and care for themselves and those around them."
Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said this partnership demonstrates that rehabilitation and community engagement can go hand-in-hand with positive results.
"This approach aligns with our commitment to evidence-based rehabilitation programs that reduce recidivism and promote successful reintegration. It's a powerful example of how innovative programs can deliver benefits for detainees and the community alike," the Attorney-General said.
MLG volunteer Fiona Hamer, whose sheep farm is among the project's revegetation sites, said she was thrilled to see the region's blossoming biodiversity.
"Last year's (plants) went to the top of a rocky gully, plus a high ridge-line where they will help hold the soil and provide refuges for wildlife. This year's plants are going into a windbreak that will connect bird-friendly plots from earlier years, help protect ancient remnant paddock trees, as well as reduce stress for lambing ewes by providing shade and shelter," Ms Hamer said.
As stated by ACT Corrective Services Commissioner Bruno Aloisi:
"We are incredibly proud of the dedication and skill demonstrated by the detainees in this program. Their contribution to reforestation efforts not only benefits the environment but also equips them with valuable work and general life skills."
As stated by AMC Production Nursery and Horticulture Program supervisor Leigh:
"This program has been running for three years now. It not only provides valuable horticultural skills to the detainees but also fosters a sense of purpose and connection to the environment.
"The experience has also given detainees a real sense of achievement while nurturing their own personal growth. For some, these programs are more than a way to pass the time of their sentences - it can open up pathways for life after prison."
As stated by Murrumbateman Landcare Group Committee Members Gill Hall:
"This partnership is a wonderful example of how we can work together to achieve positive outcomes for both the environment and individuals involved. The detainees were able to raise some species that the nursery has struggled to grow in Murrumbateman. The tubestock we collect from them always looks so big and healthy, and we love having this connection with the AMC."
