Trail Carers volunteer team repair winter storm damage around Lake Seppings

A team of volunteer trail enthusiasts have been working to repair a popular trail around Lake Seppings after severe winter storms tore through the wetland.

Outdoors Great Southern volunteers and the City of Albany’s natural reserves team this week tackled debris along a 900m stretch of trail, clearing fallen tree branches and scrub left behind by the wild winter.

The initiative was part of Outdoors Great Southern’s Trail Carers program launched in August, which brings together like-minded community members of all ages who are passionate about the region’s trails.

Trail maintenance supervisor Brett Pengelley said the area around Lake Seppings was home to many native tea trees which required a high level of upkeep.

“We were engaged via the City to bring our team of volunteers down and help clear the trail and try to help rehabilitate some of the foliage and vegetation on the side of the trail that had been covered with fallen cut tree branches and essentially smothered in large portions of the site,” he said.

Mr Pengelley encouraged anyone in the community with a love of nature to get involved.

“We want to engage the community and get these people together who love trails,” he said.

“Often the people who live close to these trails walk them and they are interested in that stewardship, fixing and working on something that they enjoy and that they use.

“Anyone who has a love for recreation and the fresh air I think will really enjoy the experience and it is a great way to meet like-minded people and help take care of the natural infrastructure that we are so lucky to have down here in the Great Southern.”

To join the Trail Carers program, visit outdoorsgreatsouthern.org.au.