The festival is being held from Friday July 3 to Sunday July 5 in eastern Kangaroo Island.

DEH biodiversity restoration project officer Heiri Klein said it was a fun way for the community to get involved in habitat restoration.

“The Kangaroo Island Planting Festival is an annual event aimed at restoring the habitat of some of the island’s rarest plant species,” he said.

“This planting event is part of the Nationally Threatened Plant Project, which is funded by the KI NRM Board, and places emphasis on reinstating biodiversity.

“The Kangaroo Island Planting Festival is an enjoyable way for volunteers to help with conservation efforts in a social setting.

“Volunteers play an important role at the festival and DEH is encouraging the public to get involved and enjoy the sense of satisfaction that comes with helping improve our local environment.

“Last year was a great success, with 271 volunteers helping to plant 75,000 seedlings.

“To date, 87 per cent of these plants have survived.

“This year we have 60,000 seedlings ready to be planted, including a number of rare and endangered species, such as the small-flowered daisy bush, the notched bush (everlasting) and the Kangaroo Island Pomaderris.

“Every effort has been made to increase diversity of the seedlings, and this year there will be 101 different species ready for planting.”

For more information on location and meeting times, contact Heiri Klein on 8553 2381 or klein.heinrich@

saugov.sa.gov.a u