CHERISH the Environment Foundation has begun a regeneration project on a property at McGearys Road, Thagoona with the aim of restoring and protecting wildlife habitat.

The Foundation owns the 107 hectare, Jeebropilly site.

The South East Queensland not-for-profit plans to remove woody weeds and restore the riverbank.

Foundation CEO Bryce Hines said that the group purchased the site in 2021.

“After considerable preparation, a clean up and the removal of 15 kilometres of fencing to allow native animals to safely traverse to the site, planting commenced in October,” he said.

“The Foundation was formed in 2022 with the goal of delivering positive environmental outcomes for the City of Ipswich and while it was formed through a partnership with the Ipswich City Council, it has been a stand-alone organisation for several years.”

Mr Hines said the Foundation had been involved in several habitat restoration and protection projects in the area, including three projects in Calvert.

“Our goal on McGearys Road is to create a 500 hectare conservation park, featuring a large area of blue gum woodland, a listed wetland and two kilometres of Bremer River streambank.

“This is our largest project to date and one that we are very excited about.

“It can take up to 10 years for a revegetation project of this nature to reach maturity, so it’s a long-term labour of love and an incredibly exciting eco-restoration project.”