National Volunteer Week  is a time to reflect and recognise the contribution of volunteers everywhere, in particular we appreciate the efforts of our Environmental volunteers in Ku-ring-gai and the contribution they make as active citizens.

“Activism is varied and diverse, but its demands often have underlying universal themes of sustainability, social justice, equality, and well-being. At a personal level, being an active citizen can increase feelings of empowerment and connectedness; it can be a positive experience challenging something that is destructive to communities and environments.” 

Extract from a paper written by Phil Smith to shape a 2019 education conference on Learning, Citizenship and Activism for Sustainability

Bust to boom!

by Helen Logie, Jill Green and Nancy Pallin

Drought, dust, disaster, and finally the miracle of regeneration – all come to mind when we think of Killara Park.

Killara Park Bushcare group has been working on this site since 2003 when Council was persuaded to stop mowing the understorey in the forested section of the park. Considerable progress was made over 18 years with a good revival of native understorey and tree species. Weeds were mostly confined to the edges of the site. Classified as Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest, a critically endangered ecological community, it suffered in the drought of 2019 losing many of its diverse ground and mid storey plants. Stressed trees then succumbed to the wild storm/ tornado that hit Killara in November 2019 and again in Feb 2020. Heavy machinery was used to clear the large quantities of fallen timber and many parts of the forest area were left with bare dirt. The excellent rains over 2020 have transformed the Park. Ground covers are back and the mid storey is sprouting. About 90 eucalypts have germinated, some of which have plant guards to protect from predation by rabbits. There has however been a flush of weeds that is threatening to overwhelm some parts of the Park. An Environmental Levy grant and visits from bushcare groups have improved some areas. It would be great if a more regular group could be set up to work on this rewarding and level site. Volunteers please contact Kim Griffin 9424 0811 or email Bushcare Office, hyperlink  bushcare@kmc.nsw.gov.au

Fox Valley Bushcare  

by Kim Griffin  

Last year the convenor of Muttama Streetcare, Shane McLeod, applied for a federal government grant to kick start bush regeneration works in the hope of starting up a new group in Bradley Reserve. A year later the site is looking fantastic with many hours contributed by contractors and volunteers alike. With the grant money coming to an end we finished this month with a community planting day. With a band of almost 30 locals and members from the Lions Club of Turramurra, 400 plants were put in the ground. I’m sure this new Bushcare group will jump from strength to strength as they continue to care for their local area.

Environmental Levy Grants close 21 May!

Applications and expressions of interest have been streaming in from Bushcare groups. To date we have heard from Hampshire Ave, Killara Park, Paddy Pallin, Bicentennial Park, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens and Kimo Bushcare groups, Larkin Streetcare and The KBA Committee.  Good luck everyone with your applications!

David, thanks for taking the time for this interview.

You’ve been a Bushcare member since 2013; what motivated you to join?

I’d been involved with Bush Regeneration for about 13 years with Toolijooa, starting off as field staff and making my way to Project Manager. When we moved into Bedford Ave I heard there was a Bushcare group at the end of the street – it just seemed the thing to do – no excuse!

As a child did you develop a love of bushland where you were growing up?

I grew up in the Castle Cove area, technically East Roseville. I was in scouts and went on to venturers; we did lots of activities in the bush, lighting fires, camping out, bushwalking. Also, next door to us was Margaret Beavis, who from the time I was a little tyke would have me over every weekend showing me all sorts of stuff, it was amazing and I guess that started my love of bushland. (Aside – Margaret Beavis is one of the legends of Ku-ring-gai Bushcare who sadly, is no longer with us.)

You’re the Convenor of the Darri Track Bushcare group – how do you find that?

When we moved to North Turramurra, Glenda Clark was the group’s convenor but she was pretty busy with Sydney Wildlife; I took over from her after about six months. It’s basically sending reminder emails – with a young family I can get a bit slack about that! The group is a powerhouse with the likes of Helen Logie, Kathy Bradfield and Glenda, very hard-working and knowledgeable.

Are you still involved with Bush Regen?

I’m now working for NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust basically creating stewardships on private land.

You’ve joined the Ku-ring-gai Bushcare Association (KBA) committee– can you tell us a bit about that?

It’s a group of Bushcare volunteers elected to represent Ku-ring-gai Council's Bushcare Volunteers and the Bushcare movement more broadly; as well as to advise and assist Council in the running of its Bushcare program. We are currently looking to reframe and update the Committee's aims and objectives (noting that the KBA's Constitution was drafted in 1994) to refine our role and how we operate in 2021 and moving into the future. The committee is also working with Council and Volunteers on a range of programs and issues as they arise including assisting with grant applications, advising on 'hot button' issues such as bike tracks in bushland and looking into research in the bush regeneration world (eg. using sugar for weed control).  

Do you have any comments you’d like to make?

Bushcare is a great program. I think we need to keep the traditions alive and especially capture the interest of younger people – do some research to find out what it is they really want and perhaps come up with specific programs tailored for them, eg. midweek or after school sessions. Landcare has a youth guide that might provide some worthwhile pointers.

Thanks David, I’m sure our readers will find this all very interesting!

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National Parliamentary Friends of Landcare

Recognise this weed?

These plants have been spotted by Bushcare Trainers on their sites. Have you seen them or anything unusual on your site? Please report to your trainer or email Bushcare@kmc.nsw.gov.au

• Verbascum thapsus – mullein 
• Crotolaria lanceolata - lance-leaved rattlepod
• Aristea ecklonii – blue-eyed iris
• Neomarica gracilis – brazilian walking iris. Not considered a weed – yet!
• Richardia stellaris – field madder
• Gibasis geniculata – tahitian bridal veil. Not considered a weed, but watch out for it in bushland.
• Melinis repens – red natal grass
• Houttuynia cordata – chameleon plant

History of Bushcare in Ku-ring-gai

Pioneers of Bushcare met in April to share their memories and reminisce about the establishment of the Bushcare program in Ku-ring-gai. Janet Fairlie-Cunningham, Nancy Pallin, Bill and Noela Jones, Tein McDonald and Jane Gye shared wonderful memories, newspaper clippings and documents from early bush regeneration days. It is easy to forget the community and personal activism that was required to get Governments (Local, State and Federal) to listen to bush regen practitioners in the early days and take responsibility for looking after Bushland It was unanimously agreed that a History of Bush Regeneration and Bushcare in Ku-ring-gai should be written. While researching archives for this meeting and The Regional Landcare and Bushcare Forum, a DVD copy of the 1982 film “The Bush beyond your garden” was located. We plan to screen at the end of year lunch in November.  If you are interested in contributing information to this project or helping with research, please get in touch with the Bushcare Office.

Bushland Operations update

The Environmental Volunteer Programs team are grateful to the Operations Bushland teams for continuing to target Madeira, Black-eyed Susan, Morning Glory and Balloon Vine; exotic grasses, de-seed and spraying annuals; cut and paint Arundo and Bamboo on Bushcare sites and adjacent areas  Special thanks to the team for foliar spraying vines, de-seeding and treating Palm Grass, scraping and painting Ludwigia peruviana and releasing Trad Smut Fungus at Sir Phillip Game Reserve.

For many years the group has toiled behind Turramurra Plaza, just off Kissing Pt. Road, in a war against as many weeds one could possibly imagine. From vines to annuals, this bushcare group has been committed to protecting their little patch of Blue Gum High Forest for 25 years. On their last working session in April 2020, they took part in CSIRO’s biocontrol release program for wandering trad as a final contribution and legacy to Granny Springs Bushcare, planting 25 stems of Trad infected with the leaf-smut fungus, Kordyana brasiliensis.

Thank you to everyone one who has contributed to this group over the many years and to Bere, Margaret, Graham, Bruce and of course Keith for all your hard work and dedication. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope one day a new group may be inspired to continue the work of Granny Springs.

What's on

Find out more about Council's environmental volunteering programs