by kim waters Bellarine Peninsula residents are trading their treadmills and dumbbells for rakes and spades in a new initiative combining exercise with conservation. Conservation Volunteers Australia spokesperson Trish McClay said the Green Gym program was good for both the body and environment. Groups of 10 volunteers met twice a week at St Leonards’ Salt Lagoon to burn off calories with weeding, planting, track maintenance and guided nature walks, she said. “It’s about getting people out into areas they may not know much about and introducing them to their local environment,” Ms McClay explained. “It’s also about being active outdoors and working at your own pace to make a difference to the environment while keeping fit and healthy.” Ms McClay said the program was Australia-wide after starting in St Leonards during December. “The response we’ve had from volunteers is amazing. They’re all really happy to be out there doing something different than the ordinary walking or going to the gym as well as meeting new people. “We have a good mixture of regulars and one-off people who get involved. We’d love to have anyone else interested come along. “If you aren’t very fit or haven’t ever planted a tree we can work around that and let you move at your own pace.” Conservation Volunteers Australia chief executive officer Colin Jackson described the program as a “rewarding experience”. “Health research has shown that undertaking conservation activities are as good for your health as going to the gym,” he said. “The Green Gym program is perfect for people who want to do something healthy but who don’t want to join a sports team or exercise indoors.”KIM WATERS
Bellarine Peninsula residents are trading their treadmills and dumbbells for rakes and spades in a new initiative combining exercise with conservation.
Conservation Volunteers Australia spokesperson Trish McClay said the Green Gym program was good for both the body and environment.
Groups of 10 volunteers met twice a week at St Leonards’ Salt Lagoon to burn off calories with weeding, planting, track maintenance and guided nature walks, she said.
“It’s about getting people out into areas they may not know much about and introducing them to their local environment,” Ms McClay explained.
“It’s also about being active outdoors and working at your own pace to make a difference to the environment while keeping fit and healthy.”
Ms McClay said the program was Australia-wide after starting in St Leonards during December.
“The response we’ve had from volunteers is amazing. They’re all really happy to be out there doing something different than the ordinary walking or going to the gym as well as meeting new people.
“We have a good mixture of regulars and one-off people who get involved. We’d love to have anyone else interested come along.
“If you aren’t very fit or haven’t ever planted a tree we can work around that and let you move at your own pace.”
Conservation Volunteers Australia chief executive officer Colin Jackson described the program as a “rewarding experience”.
“Health research has shown that undertaking conservation activities are as good for your health as going to the gym,” he said.
“The Green Gym program is perfect for people who want to do something healthy but who don’t want to join a sports team or exercise indoors.”
