Friends of the Pledger Wetlands
When
The Friends of the Pledger Wetlands officially came into being in November 2013 when the active members of Mawson Lakes Environment Watch decided that the group should take on the new title. The title now reflects what had been the main focus of the group in recent years. Mawson Lakes Environment Watch was first formed as a community volunteer group in 2007. Wh
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The Pledger Wetlands are in Mawson Lakes starting on the southern boundary of the suburb at the end of Egret Street. The area follows the boundary in a north westerly direction for about 600 metres until it reaches the railway when it turns at 90 degrees to follow the direction of the Gawler rail line until it meets Dry Creek close to the Mawson Lakes Transport Interchange. The Pledger Wetlands cover an area of approximately 10.2 hectares and stretch for about 2 kilometres. Who
Friends of the Pledger Wetlands are all volunteers and most (but not all) reside in Mawson Lakes. The Group is recognised and supported as ‘Community Volunteers’ by the City of Salisbury and Natural Resources - Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges. How
Back in 2007 what was then the Railway Wetlands was a sparsely vegetated area with an abundance of weed cover and the walking trail was often impassable because of mud which had washed down the bank. The contractors undertaking landscape maintenance for the City of Salisbury seemed to have abandoned the area. However, it was clear that the area had great potential to provide enjoyment for walkers and cyclists using the trail along its length and for wildlife to thrive in a biodiversity corridor. After consultation with Brian Pledger, the City of Salisbury Biodiversity Officer, it was agreed that Mawson Lakes Environment Watch could take on responsibility for redevelopment of the area. The City of Salisbury provided plants, equipment and supplies etc. and undertakes tasks such as track maintenance on request. Name
As mentioned above Brian Pledger was instrumental in facilitating the development of Mawson Lakes Environment Watch. Brian was tragically killed in June 2012 in a road accident whilst walking his dogs near his home in Lyndoch. Many of us in Mawson Lakes Environment Watch knew Brian personally and all knew of the contribution he made to the success of the group. We were shocked and deeply saddened by his passing. We were therefore pleased that the City of Salisbury agreed to the renaming of the Railway Wetlands to become the Pledger Wetlands in his memory. We intend to carry on the work that we know Brian would have enthusiastically supported.
