Picture: Donna Oates
By Casey Neill
ROMANCE and Landcare don’t generally go hand in hand.
But the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Landcare Network has uniting singles in its sights.
The group last year held two ‘speed planting’ events – speed dating with a green twist.
The goup this month received $5000 from the Be Natural Landcare grants program to put towards two 2012 Landcare for Singles revegetation projects.
“We can build on the success of last year’s events and encourage more people in the region to get involved,” spokeswoman Kathleen Kean said.
“Not only are Landcare for Singles events great for getting plants into the ground, but they also showcase the social side of Landcare too.”
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Landcare Network developed the concept to attract a younger audience to its cause.
Ms Kean said participants could look for a future partner and meet new people in an unusual and exciting way. The events feature an introduction to what Landcare does, and a chance to meet and greet.
Then, in the first revegetation session, participants are split into groups and they spend an hour swapping planting partners every five minutes.
“We give them a few questions to help establish small talk,” Ms Kean said.
The whole group then comes together to put as many plants in the ground as possible, and speak to as many different people as they can – with a prize for the winner.
Landcare then provides a lunch and a chance to mingle.
“Adventurous, outdoorsy people can meet like-minded people in a fun environment,” Ms Kean said.
The dates for year’s Landcare for Singles events are yet to be confirmed.
Email yrdvl4s@gmail.com for more information.
