By Dr Paul Stolz and Terry George, president and president Emeritus of the Australian Trout Foundation
Nestled among mossy banks and wildflowers, sitting by an idyllic stream feels like stepping into a tranquil painting.
The gentle burble of water weaving its way over smooth stones creates a soft, melodic backdrop, while dappled sunlight dances across the rippling surface.
Dragonflies flit and hover, their iridescent wings catching the light and the cool air carries the fresh scent of earth and growing things.
Time slows, burdens lift and in that peaceful haven, the world narrows to the simple, healing rhythm of water, wind and the quiet heartbeat of nature.
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The water is so clear fish can be seen swimming in the current and the resident platypus surfaces to take a breath and continue its feeding.
The occasional angler walks by seeking the elusive take on fly or lure to make the heart beat a little faster and the day worthwhile.
While this idyllic scene might appear to be just a dream, the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF) works very hard at making this a reality across many upland steams in Victoria.
Sunday, 27 July was National Tree Day and World Tree Day is set to be celebrated later in the year on Friday, 21 November.
These can be special days to celebrate but every day is a tree day as far as the ATF is concerned.
Recently, the ATF partnered with the North East Catchment Management Authority, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Wangaratta Fly Fishers, Alpine Fly Fishers and local Landcare to plant trees and shrubs and fund instream restoration works on significant sections of the Ovens River in the Alpine Shire.
Mayfly Rise One, Two and more recently Bridging Waters just below the Buckland confluence, are all restoration and riparian planting works to improve the water quality and species proliferation in the Ovens River.
Work was also undertaken on the lower Buckland River a few years back with in-stream works and riparian revegetation.
Surveys on this section of river suggest a complete regeneration of aquatic life in what was once a barren stretch.
Across the state the ATF have planted 80,000 trees and shrubs on various streams across 30 plus projects covering 20 kilometres.
We will continue to make everyday a tree day to improve our streams so the dream can become more of a reality.
