The Scribbly GumSpring 2013

Contents

ParkCare Coordinator 2-3

Mount Ainslie Weeders 4-5 Community partnerships Friends of Aranda Bushland 5-7 caring for our natural Friends of Bruce Ridge 7-8 environment Friends of Mount Majura 8-10

Friends of Mount Painter 11-12

Friends of Mulligans Flat 12-14

Friends of the Pinnacle 14-15

Cooleman Ridge ParkCare 16-17

Friends of Farrer Ridge 17-19 Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetlands 19-20 Mount Taylor ParkCare Group 21-22

Oakey Hill ParkCare Group 22-24

Red Hill Regenerators 24-26 Isaacs Ridge Mount Mugga Mugga ParkCare Group 26 ParkCarers of Southern Murrumbidgee 27-28

Friends of Gelnburn (Kowen) 28-30

Friends of Tidbinbilla 30-31 Gudgenby Bush Regenerators 31-32

Jarramlee Landcare 32-33 Friends of Fetherstone Gardens 34-35 North Belconnen Landcare Group 35-36 ACT

ACT Landcare Awards 37

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A E

R C I K V S R

A E Individual Landcare winner 37-38 N S D N CO IO NSERVAT Prohibited Plants 38 This newsletter is an opportunity for weed control (34%) and rehabilitation and ParkCare and Urban Landcare groups to planting activities (24%). The administration share their stories, knowledge and love of and planning of these activities and our special places. It is also a report of the associated meetings consumed 15% of many great activities community volunteers reported volunteer time. undertake to care for and promote ACT “Other” activities such as Waterwatch, parks and reserves. rubbish removal and unspecified maintenance works occupied 9% of News from the ParkCare volunteer time. Educational activities Coordinator were also important to volunteers with 6% of volunteer hours spent promoting the ParkCare and Landcare volunteers are good protection of our ACT parks and reserves at at sharing stories. Just ask them about the environmental “events” such as the patch they so intimately care for and you bi-annual Weed Swap, Floriade, organised can learn about the seasonal response of a stalls and volunteer led interpretive walks. particular plant species, the various weed species that invade our reserves, or just as Volunteers were also generous with their importantly the delicious morning teas that time assisting PCS with surveying weeds have been shared in the bush with and pests (4%) and with recording data on like-minded individuals. native flora and fauna (2%). Some volunteer hours were also spent undertaking track This year in my position as ParkCare and maintenance activities (3%) and a total of 91 Volunteer Coordinator I have gained hours was spent undertaking training (1%). 45 valuable feedback from volunteers and Percentage of volunteer hours spent on reported activities

ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) 40 staff about the ACT ParkCare and Landcare 35 program. Over 60 volunteers and 20 staff offered their ideas and comments in a 30

survey which will provide valuable data 25 for reviewing and updating the existing 20

Volunteer Policy 2009, a task I expect to Percentage of hours finish early 2014. 15

10 In addition to the regular activities of planting, weed control, track maintenance, 5 interpretive walks and biodiversity surveys, 0 Admin and Weed Control Events Native Flora Weed and Pest Other Planting and Track Training Meetings and Fauna surveys rehabilitation Maintenance a number of volunteers have been involved surveys Reported Activities in assisting PCS staff to undertake kangaroo graph of volunteer hours spent on specific activities surveys, hosting the annual Floriade Bush The training opportunities throughout Friendly Garden and monitoring Golden Sun the year included safe herbicide use Moths. A report of volunteer hours for the and first aid. Twenty volunteers received period between July 2012 and Chemcert certificates and a further 20 June 2013 shows that a total of 19,340 volunteers received First Aid training. To volunteer hours were spent helping the ACT further develop the communication skills Parks and Conservation Service to protect of volunteers and build their confidence and promote ACT parks and reserves. in the delivery of guided walks, an The figure below illustrates that the greatest intensive one day interpretation training proportion of volunteer time was spent on course run by John Pastorelli was also held and was attended by 12 keen and 2 enthusiastic volunteers. I also attended Jasmine Foxlee this course during which time the work ParkCare and Volunteer Coordinator, ACT of our volunteers inspired me to write the Parks and Conservation Service following poem. Ph: 6205 7384 I am a Weed Buster I am a weed buster, ’cause I care! Email: [email protected] Rain, hail or shine, I will be there What is a weed I hear you ask? A word from our new ParkCare An invasive plant that can breed real fast! Support Officer A weed out-competes our native plants In my previous role as North District Senior That feed and house birds, marsupials and ants Ranger, working with volunteers was a Weeds spread from gardens into the bush productive and rewarding experience. So come and join me in this push Volunteers provide an enormous Promoting native plants in gardens all around contribution to positive land management A weed buster I am newly found outcomes. I am inspired by the dedication, A number of volunteers also participated knowledge and involvement of volunteers in training offered by the regions three key and excited to have the opportunity to catchment groups further building capacity assist ParkCare and Landcare groups as the and skills in the community. ParkCare Support Officer. I look forward to meeting and working in partnership with In April 2013, ParkCare groups hosted our community of volunteers as we work walks and other events during the ACT with purpose to fulfil our many goals and and Region Heritage Festival. There were initiatives. many opportunities for the public to enjoy the natural and cultural heritage of Craig Wainwright the area. Working together with the ACT ParkCare Support Officer, ACT Parks and Landcare Facilitator, Catchment Groups and Conservation Service Waterwatch PCS, I assisted in promoting the work of volunteers at a stall at the Canberra Ph: 6207 2924 Show. The fabulous efforts of many of our Email: [email protected] groups were also recognised in September this year at the ACT Landcare Awards. A list of the winners and an interview with the Individual Landcare Award recipient can be found in this newsletter.

Another great achievement this year has been the creation of a new PCS ParkCare Support Officer position. Starting with us in October, Craig Wainwright, will provide further support for ParkCare and Landcare groups in their work planning and on-ground activities.

On a personal note I would like to thank all the group convenors for welcoming me Craig Wainwright (left) and Jasmine Foxlee (right) into the ParkCare and Landcare community during my first year in this role.

3 Mount Ainslie Weeders magnificent views across Canberra and out to the east over the airport, as well as With Canberra celebrating its centenary delicate necklace ferns growing amongst this year, the Mount Ainslie Weeders also the rocky slopes. Thriving on neglect, the had reason to celebrate in 2013. It is now hardy little Cassinia plants we planted there 13 years since regeneration work started two years ago continue to grow, and the on the old Ainslie Tip. The first community Horehound, Hedge Mustard and St John’s planting day, organised by Sullivan’s Creek Wort slowly diminishes. Catchment Group, took place in August 2000, when many eucalyptus seedlings Mount Ainslie is looking better in 2013 were planted, and a second community than it has for a number of years. event was held in September 2009 with The combination of good rainfall and 420 seedlings planted. It was good to take the decimation of what was a huge stock and to celebrate the slow but steady rabbit population has led to significant progress since those initial days. All enjoyed regeneration in many areas. Our hard work a special morning tea, a ‘Show and Tell’ on in mapping rabbit warrens, coupled with the Tip and finally, a walk up the mountain the efforts of dedicated Rangers and a to check on the new Centenary Trail and very efficient rabbit contractor is paying admire the many wildflowers in bloom. dividends, and a walk on the mountain Participants on the walk were particularly reveals many thriving seedlings and small impressed with the recent discovery of a shrubs. Wildflowers are abundant too, with patch of Juniper Wattle Acacia ulicifolia, lovely patches of Bulbine Lilies Bulbine spotted by our sharp eyed coordinator, bulbosa and a good showing of orchids. Jeanette. These have not been seen on On the Tip itself our trees and shrubs Mount Ainslie before. We will be watching continue their slow, steady growth. We the site closely early next year in order to have added Kangaroo Thorn Acacia collect seeds for propagation. paradoxa, False Sarsparilla Hardenbergia The Tip site has remained our main focus violaceae and some Native Hops Dodonaea during 2013, in addition to a Clean Up sp. as well as spreading grass seed in the Australia session in March behind the War probably vain hope that some will survive Memorial and a joint working bee with in spite of the large kangaroo population. Friends of Mount Majura in the area we call Following advice from Greening Australia, ‘The Common’. Once a year we also spend we have been creating caches of dead a morning working high up on the Ainslie branches and bark, and spreading seeds knoll, a favourite with members as it has of Vitadinnia sp., Clustered Everlasting

Mount Ainslie Tip. MC The Great Vinca Bash. WP 4 Chryspcephalum semipapposum and available midweek, as well as our monthly Cassinia sp.inside the caches. So far our working party. We are fortunate to have caches have only produced wonderful new such a dedicated and energetic group of grass and a variety of weeds. (we have a volunteers, working as a magnificent team. topsoil of hard baked clay which seems to Many thanks are due to our wonderful repel moisture). However, planting seedlings Rangers who support us so well and to inside the caches is proving very successful, Jasmine and other ACT PCS staff for their eliminating the need for hammering in tree expert advice and practical assistance. guards and allowing us to plant many more Jeanette Ruxton and Margaret Clough seedlings in the short time available. This is only possible because the rabbit population Joint Convenors, Mount Ainslie Weeders is so low, and is limited to species that are Email: [email protected] not nibbled by kangaroos.

Close to the tip is a lovely shady glade, totally overgrown with Blue Periwinkle Vinca Friends of the Aranda Bushland major an area of approximately 100 square metres. Here we have been experimenting In June this year the Friends of the Aranda with both slashing and spraying, and Bushland held a ‘Forum on the Future’ with painstakingly digging out the Vinca major. the aim of exploring the role of our group It is an enormous task and in September we in the broader context of ACT ParkCare. organised a ‘Great Vinca Bash’, attracting Questions addressed included: where do additional volunteers in an attempt to we want to be in 30 years time? What are make significant inroads into the area. A we trying to achieve in the ACT? How do good crowd of very enthusiastic workers volunteer groups participate best? What turned up to assist on the day, enjoying the are the issues and problems that need to be entertaining efforts of local resident Roland solved? Manderson (alias Leonardo da Vinca) who At the Forum we addressed the future kept us laughing as we worked. Some of Canberra Nature Park; in biodiversity volunteers won lucky spot prizes or scored conservation, led by Michael Mulvaney from a booby prize, and everyone appreciated Conservation Planning and Research and the delicious hot soup prepared by the a member of Red Hill Regenerators, the grandmothers of Ainslie. challenges facing Canberra Nature Parks, led The ongoing war with weeds continues by Daniel Iglesias, Director of PCS, land and unabated. Whilst we seem to be winning gully erosion control led by David Tongway against the Chilean Needle Grass and (CSIRO) and Kevin McCue, biodiversity Patersons Curse, the St John’s Wort and monitoring led by Sarah Sharp, the transfer Hemlock have increased. Woody weeds of Rural Lease blocks to Aranda Bushland, are making a strong comeback across led by Jean Geue, long term Friends of the western slopes and more effort will Aranda Bushland convenor, and an open be needed in this area in 2014. We have discussion on the future by all present. removed all the Cootamundra Wattle in Aranda Bushland is part of the natural particular areas, but there are many more connectivity between Black Mountain areas to be tackled, and of course constant and the Molonglo River Corridor, which in vigilance is required to pull out new growth. turn is linked to the bushland surrounding To cope with these huge tasks we now Canberra. It is part of migration pathways hold a weekly session on Wednesday for honeyeaters, swift parrots and numerous afternoons for a small group who are coastal birds that fly west in summer. We 5 use of the Aranda Bushland in general, with greater wear of tracks, and potential for fires. Education leading to appreciation of the natural environment will be a part that the Friends can play in enhancing the life of the residents and moderating damage to the environment. In association with the ACT and Region Conservation Council’s ‘Bush on the Boundary’ and ‘Living on the Urban Edge’ programs, the Friends have an opportunity to undertake a valuable Aranda erosion control at a gully head, Snow Gums Heritage Area, June 2013, David Tongway, Radford educational role. students, Friends and Canberra Nature Park ranger. IF Over the last two years students have a great diversity of flora, ranging from Radford College have joined our from the snow gum frost hollow, treeless workparties, and in the last year groups grassland remnants, wetlands, Yellow Box from Canberra Institute of Technology grassy woodland, heathland and dry forest. (CIT) environmental courses have been Orchids are abundant on the dry slopes in introduced to biodiversity and land spring, and lilies in the grassland. management in the Aranda Bushland. We have all the usual problems with weeds, Our website has bird and frog calls and erosion, kangaroo overgrazing, and limitation information, plant lists, and soils and of person-power. Strategic management is geological information for students. necessary to get the best outcomes, but the Education has to play an ever increasing key question is where do we want Aranda role in the future if later generations are Bushland to be in 30 years time? to appreciate and conserve our natural heritage. Preservation of what we have, and enhancements of the natural environment On the ground we have done some heroic are clear targets, but what land use and work on gully erosion control, weed control, climate change impacts can we expect? planting and removal of old hawthorns from the former rural lease paddocks. Our I anticipate that the majority of the snow activities on the ‘rural lease’ are likely to gums area will be woodland regrowth in increase, as these valuable blocks adjacent 30 years time, transforming in 100 years to the existing Canberra Nature Park areas to grassy woodland but at a much higher are incorporated into the Aranda Bushland. tree density than in pre-colonial times. The These have great potential for increasing Red Stringybarks of the forested area are our educational activities, as well as our steadily deteriorating and Red Box, Scribbly weeding! Gum and Brittle Gum thriving, so the forest composition will be quite different in the We are increasing our flora monitoring future. efforts, so that we have effective evidence of outcomes from our work and from The Molonglo development is going to external influences. Our basic ‘step-point increase the local population by 50,000 in monitoring has now been undertaken twice our immediate neighbourhood. Accelerated yearly since autumn 2005 over six transects warming, removal of livestock grazing in the Snow Gums heritage area, and we are and absence of regular burning will have setting up ‘Vegwatch’ monitoring with help progressive effects. from biodiversity consultant Sarah Sharp. The population growth will lead to increased 6 In 2013, Friends of the Aranda Bushland won a Commendation for Environmental Stewardship from the Sustainable Cities program and a ‘Highly Commended’ in the Qantas Landcare Innovative Community Bruce Ridge open woodland DW Group Award. (FoBR), a ParkCare group that is unique because it is formed from the mountain bike We greatly appreciate the efforts of PCS community who enjoy the native bushland rangers, and their on-going participation in and recreational opportunities offered by all aspects of our work. Craig Wainwright Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve. We have come has been our main liaison with the North together to support the maintenance and District office, and has shown strong stewardship of Bruce Ridge in conjunction support for our activities, for which we with PCS. By understanding the attitudes heartily thank him. and behaviours of that sector of park users, FoBR is well placed to select and Ian Falconer close secondary tracks and implement Convenor, Friends of Aranda Bushland track changes that are sustainable, control Email: [email protected] future erosion, rehabilitate affected areas and protect sensitive environments. We also leverage off our connection with the International Mountain Bicycling Friends of Bruce Ridge (FoBR) Association for guidance on trail design and Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve (100 hectares construction techniques. This is achieved and part of Canberra Nature Park) through half-day working bees held on the is located less than five kilometres third weekend in the month. north-west of the Canberra City Centre. Recently we had a trail head sign installed The reserve is bounded by O’Connor Ridge at the north-eastern end of the park that is Nature Reserve to the east, Gungahlin Drive adjacent to Canberra Centenary Trail which to the north and Belconnen Way to the takes both walkers and cyclists on a loop of south, separating Bruce Ridge from Black Canberra. Mountain. Gossan Hill Nature Reserve is The next few years will see additional to the west and is adjacent to a section of rationalisation of mountain bike trails and Bruce Ridge squeezed in between Calvary the creation of a sustainable downhill track Hospital and Bruce CIT. This area contains to move those users from the more sensitive the easily negotiated veterans walking track to support patients recovering at Calvary.

The native forest includes a range of environments and contains several rare species of orchids. The stands of Yellow Box across the ridge are now a listed as a threatened species.

Because of Bruce Ridge’s close proximity to residential areas, it has been subject to illicit mountain bike trail building that has endangered a number of species of rare flora communities. In 2011, PCS facilitated the formation of Friends of Bruce Ridge Rerouting trails to protect sensitive areas. CL 7 parts of the park. A trail map is close to Belconnen Way/Fairfax Street (there’s a finalisation with named trails to enable reasonable dirt area on the side of the road). better navigation through the maze of Ride west onto the bike path and follow this tracks across the ridge. about 200 metres up the hill to reach the trail head under the power lines on the left. Also on the agenda is a self-guided walking tour and an education program for the local Article by volunteer David Williams schools so that younger users of the nature Geoff Hyde, Convenor, Bruce Ridge reserve gain a better appreciation of the valuable resource that is to be passed onto them to look after for future generations. Environmental weeds continue to be an issue and we are currently looking out for instances of Chilean Needle Grass.

Get involved There are a number of ways that you can help maintain Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve as an outstanding community resource including: Mountain Bikers on the summit of Bruce Ridge SG

1. donations of cash, new tools and ParkCare Group equipment; Facebook: Friends-of-Bruce-Ridge 2. participation in our monthly trail maintenance; Website: www.bruceridge.org

3. flora and fauna identification and mapping;

4. identification and mapping of environmental weeds and hazards;

5. development and presentation of school Friends of Mount Majura (FoMM) education materials; 2013 is the tenth anniversary of Friends of 6. research and documentation; Mount Majura (FoMM), which was founded 7. social media engagement; and in 2003 as an initiative of Waltraud Pix, who has since then coordinated FoMM’s activities 8. leading guided tours. and major projects. Waltraud resigned this year for a number of reasons. The group Access is now in the process of implementing a The recommended parking spots are: significant change in organisation, with the Canberra Stadium car park, Masterman aim of carrying FoMM’s many tasks and Street if there are no events on there. activities on more shoulders. Park close to the end of Masterman Street At FoMM’s first annual general meeting on and ride in through the Gungahlin Drive 9 October 2013, we established a committee underpass. Ride 100 metres down the bike with a convener, coordinator, secretary, path and enter the park to the right to the treasurer and committee members with trail head near the power lines. responsibilities, such as organising walks. From Dryandra Street, park approximately Waltraud will continue to serve on the 200 metres north of the roundabout at committee as advisor.

8 Throughout this restructure, FoMM has need for clean-up, mulching and watering of continued on-ground work with on average last year’s plantings, herbaceous and woody 4,000 volunteer hours per year over the weed control and preparations for this last five years, including consolidating year’s National Tree Day event. old projects and starting work on the National Tree Day was a terrific success. improvement of a large, degraded area Between 200 and 300 enthusiastic abutting The Fair development in North volunteers turned out to plant, water and Watson. A big effort was made there by over mulch 400 local trees, shrubs and ground 200 people during the 2013 National Tree cover plants. This spectacular effort built on Day planting event (see www.majura.org), last year’s tree day planting on the north- with seedlings and the general area requiring west slope of Mount Majura. Mass plantings continuing care. like these are vital for improving degraded We would be very interested in sharing grassy box-gum woodland, an important our experiences working with The Fair habitat for local native plants and animals. development. In this project, FoMM, Plus we had wonderful coverage of the together with the North Canberra event on the local ABC news program in the Community Council, the Watson Woodland evening and in The Canberra Times the day Working Group, the Watson Community after. Association and the Conservation Council Very special thanks to National Tree Day worked hard over a three year period co-oordinator Rebecca Palmer-Brodie to mitigate the impacts of urban-edge and the Conservation Council crew for the developments on the conservation values excellent promotion and for engaging the of Mount Majura Nature Reserve. Some of community in a fun way—it lifted our annual the positive outcomes are the production community planting event on Mount Majura by the Conservation Council of a series of to a whole new level. One of the new ideas fact sheets, the development of a policy was to provide customised ‘adopt a tree’ tags document Bush at the Boundary, a booklet for families who wanted a special link with on Living Next to Nature and a book their personal tree. They will come back in the Treasures of Mt Ainslie/Mt Majura. following months to give their tree some TLC. Much of FoMM’s on-ground activities have Follow-up work at the sites of older FoMM revolved around this latest project, with the projects included woody weed working

Drainage line rehabilitation Photo 1 (left) taken in 2011; before work began. Middle photo: removal of woody weeds 2011. (right photo) Drainage line after weed removal and revegetation. WP 9 kangaroos is heavy and unsustainable, because there are too many of them in the small remaining grassy woodlands. The reserve islands of Canberra Nature Park have limited carrying capacity for large herbivores. The herbaceous layer, the grasses and forbs, are repeatedly reduced to a lawn or a cover of unpalatable weeds. FoMM concluding National Tree Day. SB Large unmanaged kangaroo populations bees, a planting bee at the old sheep camp, defeat the purpose of protecting the grassy hand weeding and seedling care at the woodland as they make it impossible to Majura Paddock and weeding events held rehabilitate native ground cover. together with the Mount Ainslie Weeders at sites we have collaborated on for some time. A time-lapse video of the three years repeat photography and explanatory background Like every year, FoMM also organised a information is available at series of walks: Walking with Ants, Bird Walk, http://majura.org/explaining-change/ Tree Walk and a Spring Wildflower Walk. In October, FoMM launched a petition to On 18 March 2013, we launched a media return two Majura paddocks to nature release on The grazing impact of kangaroos, reserve, something FoMM has been lobbying a three year experiment, reporting on for since 2003. At the time of writing, over the results of a three year experiment 2,000 residents, mainly from Hackett, by FoMM that demonstrates the serious Ainslie, Watson and Dickson have signed consequences of kangaroo grazing pressure this petition and we do hope to be able to on the integrity of endangered grassy report on its success next year. woodlands. Since late 2009, with financial help from the ACT Government and the Jochen Zeil North Canberra Community Council, the Convener, Friends of Mount Majura FoMM conducted a simple public awareness project by recording vegetation change, and Email: [email protected] demonstrating the cause. Website: www.majura.org We set up our Explaining Change project to gain a better understanding of the relative influence of kangaroos, rabbits, and seasons on the herbaceous ground layer in the reserve. We fenced small grassland areas to exclude kangaroos and rabbits, kangaroos A Labour Of Love only, or none of the two herbivores and On 19 April, A Labour of Love—celebrating recorded the changes of the ground layer Landcare in the ACT was launched by with repeat photography at fixed times Minister Corbell at Tuggeranong Homestead. of the year. It is obvious that grazing by The book is a vivid and beautiful publication telling the stories of the rich natural and human heritage that is ACT Landcare. It is available from the Southern ACT Catchment Group, Australian National Botanic Gardens Bookshop and the National Library. You can also phone 6296 6400 to order a copy. (left) Hedge Mustard Nightshade site 2011, (right) the Cost is $25. same site with native grasses, January 2013. WP 10 Rehabilitating Mount Painter Mount Painter, Greening Australia’s Green Team and Conservation Volunteers have laid Controlling erosion out the logs in two of the reserve’s gullies Our major project for 2013, guided by and piled acacia brush on top of them to landscape ecologist, David Tongway, has protect them from kangaroo damage. We built on earlier efforts to control erosion have been debating whether this damage under mature eucalypts that are growing on is due to kangaroos grazing the logs or lazy steep slopes. The erosion has resulted from footwork as they hop over. a lack of large, shady trees on most of the hill slopes and a substantial population of Weeding kangaroos that congregate under the trees. Faced with very extensive infestations in They damage the little remaining vegetation many parts of the reserve, which are beyond there and expose and loosen the soil that is our ability to control, we have continued to readily washed away in heavy falls of rain. In focus our efforts on a few areas of diverse the past we have laid wood logs along the native vegetation and others where we have contours on these sites to slow the water recently planted out tubestock. We are very flow and trap sediment, but many logs have encouraged that the northern slopes behind now reached their trapping capacity. We the houses in Cook and, in particular, the need to augment the older logs and have Wildflower Triangle (the triangular section been fortunate in sourcing coir ones with of the park next to Bindubi Street) are now assistance from Greening Australia, the PCS conspicuously less weedy. For this, we can and a Landcare Australia Spicers’ grant. thank the more continuous ground cover Volunteers from Friends of for outcompeting the weeds, as well as our weeding efforts. We are also pleased with our progress with woody weed removal that has occupied several of our work parties. We have targeted woody weeds across the whole reserve and, with chain sawing support from PCS, have now removed virtually all the large individual weed plants. That leaves us now with the easier task of keeping on top of the seedlings that appear. The main exception to the rosy picture in our focus areas is the more frequent occurrence during last summer of African Von Harrington and Dick Roe laying a coir log in Horse Paddock Gully. SH

Mixed trees and shrubs planted in the south-west corner Lines of coir logs covered with brush, that have been of the reserve in 2006. Wedge-leaved wattle Acacia laid on an eroding steep slope under a yellow box tree pravissima, box-leaved wattle A. buxifolia and false in Horse Paddock Gully. SH sarsparilla Hardenbergia violaceae are flowering. SH 11 Lovegrass plants along tracks and paths, Other activities despite our efforts to control it on the In February and August we helped Don reserve and many hours spent spraying it at Fletcher (Conservation, Planning and the reserve entrances. Research) with sweep counts of the kangaroos on the reserve and in the Caring for plantings and tracking their surrounding paddocks. We also contributed success to a ParkCare display at Jamison Plaza Over the 2012-13 summer, we watered the in September with four other Belconnen previous winter’s plantings of ground cover ParkCare/Landcare groups and the species in the Wildflower Triangle and along Canberra Indian Myna Action Group. the summit path. Eighty-one per cent of the We thank the staff of PCS and Ginninderra Wildflower Triangle plants were still alive a Catchment Group for their continuing year after planting, and we look forward to support and the people of Cook and seeing how well they survive their second surrounding suburbs who work on and enjoy summer without watering, and whether they Mount Painter. produce offspring. We are also tracking the survival of about a quarter of the 2,080 Sarah Hnatiuk trees and shrubs planted on the hill slopes by PCS in 2011. Three quarters of them Convenor, Friends of Mount Painter are still alive two years after planting, an Email: [email protected] excellent result when compared with the survival to two years old of only a third of the tubestock planted by FOMP during the drought. Friends of Mulligans Flat For a long time, Mulligans Flat was Other highlights Canberra’s best kept secret, our most One of the highlights for 2013 concerns northern nature reserve along the road the enclosure erected in 2009 round three to Gundaroo. Now surrounded by the mature Yellow Box trees; it has excluded (mostly complete) suburb of Forde and kangaroos from the start and, from 2011, growing suburb of Bonner in Gungahlin, rabbits too. We wanted to see if protection visitation is increasing with more local from nibbling rabbits and camping families, photographers, runners, bike riders kangaroos would enable regeneration of and bushwalkers enjoying the Sanctuary. trees and shrubs which was not evident in Once the kids have had a day exploring at this part of the reserve before. Since 2011, Mulligans they are well and truly hooked! one shrub and four tree seedlings have appeared. Another piece of good news is Exciting developments at the Woodland the evidence of improved soil health across Sanctuary this year include the appointment the reserve since 2010 when measures by the Board of the first Sanctuary Ecologist of nutrient recycling, infiltration and soil and Outreach Officer, Kate Grarock (of stability were first made by Sarah Sharp. Indian myna fame) and preliminary work This year, with David Tongway’s assistance, on the concept and siting of a Woodland we repeated these Landscape Function Learning Centre. The centre will be an Analysis measurements and found that, educational hub and visitor gateway to the at all five sites in different vegetation expanded Mulligans Flat and Goorooyaroo types and at different altitudes, nearly all nature reserves with access provided measures were better than three years ago. through the new suburb of Throsby. A proposed pedestrian underpass (Horse Park Drive) through to Throsby from Harrison 12 will provide safe walking and cycle access On behalf of the ACT ParkCare community to the expanded woodland for residents in and the Mulligans Friends, we also Harrison and Gungahlin. presented Peter with a copy of Labour of Love and a ParkCare rugby jumper and hat In late July we held an evening to meet, (he was chuffed to get his hands on the echidnas, bettongs and more at the ‘cocky’ shirt). Peter’s entertaining farewell Gungahlin Library. Matthew Higgins showed speech is now written into PCS folklore. his delightful short film about echidnas filmed at Mulligans Flat and Will Batson PhD This spring, the Friends embarked on our Scholar, described his research tracking the first foray to engage the local community translocation of the bettongs, which are assisting Communities@work in Forde with breeding and thriving in the Sanctuary. Stay their Wildflower Walk for Forde residents tuned for our evening meet in 2014 to catch on 22 September 2013. Local botanist, up on ‘Science in the Sanctuary’. Michael Doherty, led the walk along the Grassy Woodlands Trail providing a In early August, we said farewell to wonderful introduction to the diversity of Mulligans Ranger-in-charge, Peter Mills, the woodland landscape and the first flush who has retired after 20 years in the of spring wildflowers. Following the walk we Parks Service. PCS organised a lunchtime were delighted to have a youthful Minister bash at the woolshed attended by Peter’s Rattenbury launch our ‘Snap-Film-Draw colleagues at PCS, ANU, the Forde Spring into Nature’ kids art competition at Community Development team and a the woolshed. We hope the competition ParkCare contingent including Friends of will inspire a few more local kids and their Aranda Bushland (FAB). Peter assisted FAB families to discover this special place during with Hawthorn removal and track building the October school holidays. in the early days and has been a long time supporter of ParkCare. Thanks to Jean Geue Our group work parties in June and for presenting a series of photos to Peter of September have focused on erosion control his FAB adventures.

Snap-Film-Draw Launch – Mulligans Woolshed 22 September 2013 Left to right standing: - Lillian Burless, Darci Tennent, Kira Wright, Minister Shane A younger “Millsie” helping out the Friends of Aranda. JG Rattenbury. Kneeling: Charlie York, Kaesi Tennent. JF 13 in the large dam paddock. Ranger Woody Don Driscoll’s ground-layer restoration got us moving piles of rocks into place project continues to be one of the most behind coir control logs. Our September important and exciting projects we’re meet was followed by a dump of 60 mm of involved in. The project is in its final year rain and our work held together beautifully, now (though it may be extended for hopefully the beginnings of an ephemeral another year) and is going brilliantly. Don frog habitat! has already produced some initial findings based on the 2011 surveys, which can be Kathy Eyles downloaded from our website: Convenor, Freinds of Mulligans Flat www.fotpin.org.au

Email: [email protected]

Friends of the Pinnacle As ever, our primary focus in 2013 was weed control. In fact, we logged 1,216 hours of effort over the year. We also put a lot of time this year into the adjoining leasehold land we refer to as North Kama and the Bottom Pinnacle, largely because our work in previous years has reduced the weed infestations in the main reserve to the point where we can invest more time in the important work of remediating adjacent properties.

Erosion Control in the Large Dam Paddock. GW

This year was bookended by a couple of important planting events; one in September

The peak that gives the reserve its name.JB last year of around 450 plants, and another one in May of this year of almost 400 plants. Thinking back, it’s hard to recall now just how Both were funded by the ACT Government badly infested the reserve was only a few as part of their Woodland Restoration years ago, particularly with woody weeds Project, which is aimed at establishing such as Briar Rose, and other weeds such wildlife corridors between existing patches as Verbascum, Horehound and thistles. On of woodland. Both events were organised walks I’ve led this year, people have remarked brilliantly by Greening Australia and were to me how good the reserve looks compared very well attended. So far, the plantings are with other Canberra reserves, particularly doing extremely well, with survival rates up in terms of weeds like St Johns Wort and around the 90% mark. Saffron Thistle. While there’s still a great deal of work to do, we’ve achieved a lot. 14 The more observant among you may have I have no doubt that 2013-14 will be another noticed that this year marked Canberra’s busy and productive year for us. Each year Centenary, and Fotpin had a small (but brings a new challenge, and this year there are we like to think valuable) role in the already signs that this could be a big year for celebrations. In April we held two guided Patersons Curse and Saffron Thistle. Doubtless, walks, one of which was organised in there’ll be something to keep us busy. collaboration with an ACT-wide program for We are also developing a program of small- families and kids run by the Conservation scale plantings of complementary species Council. The aim was to drag the kids away in the existing woodlands in the reserve. from their computers and put them in touch This will be accompanied by a program of with the beauty of Canberra Nature Park. selective plantings to replace the woody If our walk was any indication, it was very weeds that are being removed in the successful. Bottom Pinnacle and North Kama.

Finally I need to thank PCS staff for their great support in promptly supplying us with chemicals, coir logs, access keys and helping out with Don’s Grassland Restoration project. Now, we’re meeting with Rangers on a regular basis, which will definitely contribute to more effective reserve management in the future.

The whole family getting stuck in. IR We also ran a Spring Walks program in October last year, including a couple of well-attended wildflower walks and a very successful Drawn From Nature walk, which attracted several families and their children and introduced them to the pleasures of translating natural beauty into marks on a page. Tawny frogmouth family at the Pinnacle HB One more milestone this year has been the production of a shiny new brochure for the Pinnacle Nature Reserve. Thanks John Brannan are due to everyone involved in producing Convenor, Friends of the Pinnacle the brochure, particularly the folks at the Email: [email protected] Ginninderra Catchment Group, who paid for the printing.

Other activities that have kept us busy include our third annual kangaroo count, a stall at the Hawker Primary School fete, ongoing rabbit warren mapping, guided walks for groups such as the U3A and Canberra Ornithologists Group, and further erosion control measures in the Bottom Pinnacle. 15 Cooleman Ridge ParkCare Group Then in April 2013 we led a walk for the Heritage Festival Natural Treasures of the Native plants and plantings ACT. Eighteen people came for the walk During the year there have been two through the reserve. Many thanks to the strike and re-plant attempts on Cooleman Conservation Council (who organised the Ridge. In late 2012, some fernlets from event) and to our leader, Göstå who was the Mother Shield Fern Polystichum fantastic (as usual!) proliferum were collected for striking and re-introduction to other locations on the Waterwatch on Cooleman Ridge Ridge. So far all are doing well. There was In November 2012 the water in Kathner then the discovery of Forest Mint, Mentha Street Dam started to show worrying laxiflora. A single specimen was found on results. The pH started creeping up and it Mount Arawang. Seed was collected for started to get quite smelly. The highest pH propagation as the parent plant was at reading was 10.6. Approaching caustic! We risk of being overwhelmed by Blackberry consulted Martin Lind from Southern ACT Rubus fruticosus and Blue Periwinkle Vinca Catchment Group and Dr Stephen Skinner major, or damaged by herbicide applied to from the Molonglo Catchment Group to try these weeds). The seed germinated and get some answers. It became fairly clear that eventually we had enough new plants to the Chapman drainage works undertaken in plant back out on the ridge. Seedlings that the catchment for this dam were the most were planted at the base of rocks or logs all likely underlying cause. There are two other survived. possible factors. One is the high level of phosphate already in this dam – a legacy of Walks and talks superphosphate application above it in the Work has been done on the steep, degraded 1950s. The other is a species of Anabaena and dangerous foot-trail of the Cooleman cyanobacteria. This one is a nitrogen-fixing summit along with one new track and restored organism. It isn’t known to be toxic. It auto original tracks for the Centenary Trail. spores and the spores drop straight down and grow on the bottom of the dam until There have been a few ParkCare member- they are bigger. The cyanobacteria are a led walks over the past year. Early on we symptom of the conditions rather than the celebrated 10 years of recovery after the cause. They would be taking advantage of 2003 bushfires. ParkCarers from near and the alkalinity, and could have been causing far, old friends and members, local horse- the smell. owners, fire-fighters, Chapman residents and rural lessees formed an attentive audience as our resident expert fire ecologist Dr Malcolm Gill took us around his demonstration circuit. At each stop along the way, gazing into the distance or examining details of the landscape, the recovery of plants and of animals was evident. Our leader discussed the strategies for survival of different species and answered many questions. Even concepts like asset protection became One of the dams on Cooleman Ridge. clearer to all. We are indebted to Malcolm Cooleman Ridge ParkCarers suspected for sharing his knowledge so generously the alkalinity was coming from the large and in such an engaging manner. concrete culvert built uphill of the dam late 16 in the Chapman drainage works (last year), involved putting up some posters around together with the gabions. The gabions Cooleman Ridge encouraging walkers to (ie broken rock, to slow run-off, in wire pull out five Fleabane whilst on their walk. baskets) are made from blue metal. Alkaline The appeal was met with an overwhelmingly dust from these rocks may well have been positive public reception with piles of making its way into the dam. Not long after fleabane appearing alongside the trails. this episode, ParkCarers counted 14 dead Given the positive response to both yabbies around the edges of the dam. programs we intend to do the same in the next six months. Thanks to our two members Göstå and Rohan, there is a new section on our website In early 2013, a plant was found at the devoted to the dams on Cooleman Ridge. dam that we had not come across before. www.coolemanridge.org.au/dam.php The It was discovered to be Celery Buttercup section includes a history of the dams, as Ranunculus sceleratus. It’s a nasty weed well as over 300 photos taken over the last and poisonous to stock which was not good eight years. news for the horse riders who often water their horses at the dam. Vegwatch Cooleman Ridge continues to be part of Fauna the ACT Vegwatch programme. On 14 Members enjoyed learning about the Pink- November 2012, Molonglo Catchment tailed Worm Lizard Aprasia parapulchella Group spent the morning with us, pouring during the walk-and-talk led by Dr Will over plants at this east-facing spot, where Osborne in October 2012. Dr Osborne kangaroos laze and there are always birds showed us how to identify its habitat about. We revised and refined our survey and how to check for their presence with techniques for this exercise. These surveys minimal disturbance. Members look forward yield data in a standardised form, making to helping Will monitor the lizards on comparisons between reserves and seasons Cooleman Ridge in the future. more reliable. We will be doing the annual During the year some unidentified wallabies survey again this November. made their presence known to one of our members. We still haven’t determined if they Weeds are odd coloured red-necks or wallaroos! During the year in addition to the brilliant work being done by our members, Anna See Cooleman Ridge trialled a few activities Convenor, Cooleman Ridge ParkCare Group in an attempt to engage more of the community in ParkCare activities. Email: [email protected]

Our first program ‘Verbascum Vamoose’ was to have a few evening sessions in the warmer months. These were held from 6 pm till 7 pm Farrer Ridge ParkCare Group during the week to allow full-time workers There was a large group of people who to participate. It was deemed a success with enjoyed the ParkCare Guided Spring lots of Verbascum removed before they set Wildflower Walk in mid September, flower and Cooleman Ridge members, who 2012. The photo (over the page) shows did not usually participate in our weekend the delightful woodland section of the activities, discovering they were able to interpretive-signed nature trail on Farrer Hill. manage the evening sessions better.

The next program ‘Fleabane Begone’ 17 Farrer Ridge ParkCarers decided to use the ACT”. Wendy and Jennie worked with some prior Landcare Award money to help Kathy Eyles and Steve Welch co-editing this pay for some extra help from Conservation book celebrating the work of ParkCarers, Volunteers (CVA). The Southern ACT and the book was launched in April 2013 by Catchment Group paid for another day’s Minister Simon Corbell at the Tuggeranong work by CVA as well. The Verbascum seed- Homestead. heads, with their 100,000-200,000 seeds per head, had been removed over months of work by ParkCarers, and still there were more and spreading. There were swathes of bad Verbascum infestation. So the help from the CVA teams along with some of the ParkCarers resulted in a real reduction in seed source. All seed-heads were bagged, and the stuffed bags removed by Rangers. We persist in weed-wanding the rosettes, as they will continue sprouting for some time. It does seem manageable at last! Flowering Daviesia, Indigofera and Pimelia in Unfortunately, Patterson’s Curse has spread woodland, Farrer Ridge. WR in the area. We are hoping the Rangers will In August, Wendy went with Kristy to check follow-up with spraying those. the replacement of deteriorated logs, that In February, 2013, woody weeds, including have served well in controlling erosion on large Hawthorns, Briar Roses and other the Farrer Hill Nature Trail. Meanwhile Parks exotics were continued to be removed from and Conservation Service followed up our a gully in the south-eastern part of the request for replacing some of the nine nature reserve. It took a few sessions, but interpretive signs that had deteriorated too, has now been cleared. and we are very pleased that all nine signs were replaced. Jennie Widdowson and Wendy Rainbird have been doing a Farrer Ridge biodiversity Wendy has done some ChemCert training survey on a number of sites, and with the for ParkCarers and a First Aid course, as help of a University of Canberra student, well as attending a Weeds Identification on- Heidi Congdon, and Robert Bruce two more site session run by Steve Taylor. So it should sites were surveyed. This will add to the help in identifying Chilean Needle Grass and plant species knowledge and abundance in Serrated Tussock. different areas and ecosystems within the Farrer Ridge ParkCare was represented, nature park. along with other ParkCare Coordinators, at We planted 16 False Sarsparillas some of the Centennial Trail meetings. The Hardenbergia violaceae near a woodland Centennial Trail covering about 140 kms, after some autumn rain, but a dry spell through many of the nature reserves around subsequently made them struggle. Canberra, was opened on 27 October. It does not pass through Farrer Ridge but is Wendy visited Farrer Primary School early further south through Tuggeranong, then in the year, and later gave a presentation to Wanniassa Hills and Isaacs Ridge-Mount students at Torrens Primary School. She also Mugga Mugga. went on Radio Landcare a couple of times, especially being able to talk about the book, There are sections of Farrer Ridge Nature “A Labour of Love: Celebrating Landcare in Reserve that have been improved greatly

18 by the persistent work of ParkCarers. Perhaps one of Canberra’s most hidden Lots of natural regeneration continues, and unsung treasures, the Jerrabomberra and although sightings of Eastern Grey Wetlands Nature Reserve occupies 200 Kangaroos are frequent, there have also acres on the eastern edge of Lake Burley been sightings of a Swamp Wallaby. Griffin, only four kilometres from the city Like all of Canberra’s nature parks and centre, accessible by car from Dairy Flat reserves, it is enjoyed by many people for Road in Fyshwick and by bike or foot walking and other recreation. from the East Basin loop or the shared path from Kingston. The various habitats Wendy Rainbird contained within the Jerrabomberra Convenor, Farrer Ridge ParkCare Wetlands Nature Reserve—grassland, creek, marshes, mudflats and woodland— Email: [email protected] can be encountered via a stroll along the Wetlands’ network of tracks, including those providing access to a series of strategically Friends of Jerrabomberra positioned bird hides from which you can Wetlands spy on the many resident and visiting bird species. Swans, pelicans, swamphens and Up until about six months ago, my several duck species are regulars, while the encounters with the Jerrabomberra Wetlands threatened Latham’s Snipe—a migratory Nature Reserve were largely confined to my bird that breeds in China and Japan—might occasional use of the path coursing through be spotted between August and February, it during cycling excursions to Pialligo or the when they find a summer home at the Molonglo River. I was therefore intrigued to wetlands. later find in my letterbox a flyer advertising the Open Day that was held at the Wetlands One of over 30 reserves forming the on 28 April 2013. It prompted me to ditch Canberra Nature Park, the Jerrabomberra the bike and take the time to walk instead Wetlands is listed in the Australian through the wetlands, giving myself the Directory of Important Wetlands and chance to discover a precious oasis amidst a region otherwise characterised by seemingly rampant housing development. What was previously merely a convenient bike route, I found was instead a place of great natural and historical riches: an ornithologists’ paradise, visited by over 170 bird species each year; a habitat for frogs, tortoises, reptiles and mammals including the Platypus and Eastern Water Rat; and a place offering a glimpse of Canberra’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history. Even better, the flyer alerted me to the fledgling community of Friends who are assisting PCS staff and the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Board of Management in the enhancement of the reserve through bush regeneration and interpretation.

Pelicans, Jerrabomberra Wetlands MM 19 sessions that take place one Tuesday each month. To date, the Friends have been helping address the exotic weed problem in the wetlands through the reinstatement of bird-attracting (and weed-deterring) native trees and shrubs. The recent removal of willows from a section of the north- western area of the reserve will soon mean an increase in planting activity, with 10,000 Common Reeds Phragmites australis ready Tree planting at Jerrabomberra Wetlands in May. KK for planting in October, while the boardwalk recognised under international agreements to be constructed around Kellys Swamp will pertaining to the protection of migratory necessitate new screening shrubs and trees bird species. But it is currently facing in the not-too-distant future. Teaming up significant challenges, with the Kingston with Michael Maconachie and Chris Davey Harbour Foreshore development continuing (Canberra Ornithologists Group), Friends apace and further housing development members assisted with a bird survey in proposed for East Lake, on the reserve’s July, and are looking forward to helping south-western boundary. In light of this, the with future surveys and with corresponding Board, in consultation with PCS and other strategies relating to the management of groups is engaged in the development and pest species impacting onJerrabomberra implementation of a master plan, which Wetlands. The Friends also intend to incorporates strategies for restoration and contribute to the interpretation of the the ongoing protection of the wetlands, Wetlands and to helping the large number along with plans for increasing the of new neighbours (like me) appreciate the appreciation of its natural and cultural remarkable resource on their doorsteps. heritage riches. Formed in late 2012, the In addition to assisting with maintenance Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetlands—in of the hides, the Friends have ideas for collaboration with the Board, Wetlands a website as well as plans for activities PCS Ranger Michael Maconachie, and including guided walks. The first of these, organisations including SEE-Change Inner conducted by Michael on 14 September, was South and PCS ParkCare—have recently well-attended despite contrary weather. A been increasing their assistance with these number of other activities have engaged strategies, the Friends’ ranks having grown the Friends in their first year and, with much since the open day in April. Following to be accomplished in this challenging their tree planting session and meeting in but exciting time for the Jerrabomberra early May 2013, new and existing Friends Wetlands, we’d love to have more people established a pattern for monthly weekend join us. Interested? activities in addition to the regular planting Article by Joanna Gilmour

Kathryn Kelly

Convenor Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetlands

Email: [email protected]

Balloons over Kellys Swamp. MM 20 Mount Taylor ParkCare Group Most rabbit burrows have been eliminated, thanks to our Rangers, and our walking Centenary Year, a last burst of enthusiasm GPS. There was a remaining elusive summit for this year, a looking back on time: what colony that has now been found, and will another 50 years show us on Mount another on the old agistment. Taylor and the hills around us? We have a very important commemorative Over 170 years ago, the first European area on Mount Taylor, which includes our settlers invaded this large area of hills, rivers 20-year bench from which magnificent and plains creating farming settlements views of the valley and our mountains can and communities. Displacing local peoples be enjoyed. It is also a special place for living in the Kambera area at that time. contemporary family tree plantings and is Land management, the landscape and well cared for by our group. vegetation have changed. What we have now is an understanding of that loss and an opportunity to ‘care for this country’ into the next 50 years.

The Mount Taylor ParkCare Group has continued our work programs for this year, incorporating Marist College and Pearce Primary School into enthusiastic work parties that worked on erosion and protecting a small area for the primary school. Other students have assisted with Duke of Edinburgh awards, a special event Planting Blackthorn on Mount Taylor in April 2013. planting 100 Blackthorn Bursaria spinosa plants above Mannheim Street (the short drought stopped the summit celebration) for this special year and 24 years of work on Taylor. We are continuing research on controlling St Johns Wort in significant botanical areas and a May survey revealed that about 500 Eastern Grey Kangaroos are living on Mount Taylor, including the 150 members of the agistment mob. This is a very difficult situation for the agistment lessee. Anne I’ons leading a walk on Mount Taylor in April.

Many of the plantings have been for the restoration of Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus on the east side of MountTaylor: we have over 50 on the W/N rocky knoll (near the power line) that survived the many fires, including 2003.

Research into the reptile population will continue with the monitoring and placing of tiles as refuges on Mount Taylor. New

Birds inspecting a tree hollow. AI government support for volunteers in Parks 21 and Conservation Service projects will assist in research and action on exotic weed and animals and take off some of the stress of our under resourced staff.

Our volunteers—over 600 during the 24 years in the group—are the reason why we have survived and prospered. Love of the environment and increasing our understanding of it should help us survive.

The changes for Mount Taylor may be formed by the shifting climate and the increasing population Gaving and Margaret attacking a Cootamundra Wattle. JBu (both four and two Oakey Hill in the early to mid 1980s. On legged) which could the eastern side of the Hill there were two push the mountain to old and weathered native Black Cypress something worse than Pines Callitris endlicheri standing on a the farming damage rocky promontory overlooking Lyons and done over the last intermixed were Drooping She-oak or 150 years. I am not Coast She-oak Allocasuarina verticillata optimistic for the next and not many Cootamundra Wattles Acacia Resin drop on 50 years. Red-stemmed Wattle. baileyana. Over the years the Cypress Pines Anne I’Ons faded through old age and eventually died as did the Drooping She-oaks. Convenor, Mt Taylor ParkCare Group Although the 2003 fires brought destruction Email: [email protected] to other parts of Weston and Woden, burning rejuvenated Oakey Hill with great numbers of Black Cypress Pines and Ten years of change on Oakey Hill Drooping She-oaks seedlings with just as many Cootamundra Wattles sprouting over It’s hard to believe, but the Oakey Hill the slope. It was fantastic to see so many ParkCare group has been in operation for plant species reinvigorating the area but almost 10 years! The group got its start on not so great seeing Cootamundra Wattle 10 January 2004 when a mixed group of thickets creating a monoculture. volunteers and Rangers sowed Kangaroo Grass thatch harvested from Mulligans Flat. When the call went out for interested This was followed on 1 February 2004 with people in the community to form a ParkCare our first formal ParkCare activity. In that group, well supported by PCS Rangers, I time the hill’s vegetation has undergone was more than happy to become involved. major changes–from a derelict pasturing Over the 10 years we’ve made a great landscape and Blue Gum plantation, through difference to the health of the reserve the destruction of the 2003 fires, to an open – so much so I’d go so far as to say that grassy woodland dominated by diverse Cootamundra Wattle has slipped from native species. number one in the woody weed list to One of the group’s founding members, Daryl five. With ongoing work the prevalence of Crapp, offers the following reflections: this weed is slipping all the time. What an achievement!’ ‘I used to spend a lot of time walking on 22 Ailanthus altissima and others. Blackberry remains a problem in parts of the reserve, but has been kept in check by spraying. More recently, contractors have extensively sprayed for Chilean Needle Grass and African Lovegrass, particularly along the residential boundary.

When the ParkCare group first began, it was not unusual to attract a large number of volunteers of all ages. But people’s circumstances and priorities change and folk move on to other things. Our work is now carried on by a group of a dozen or so stalwarts, some of whom have been involved with the group from its inception.

However, it is surprising just how much even a small group can achieve. Some folk can’t seem to get enough ParkCare and Chris among woody weeds JBu contribute to the efforts of other groups, The Drooping She-oak in particular has such as the nearby Fetherston Gardens in attracted Glossy Black Cockatoos to Weston Creek or even through individual Oakey Hill. The grassland areas, with the efforts. recent rains and milder winter, have proved One member in particular, Harley Dadswell, irresistible to Eastern Grey Kangaroos has undertaken extensive maintenance of whose numbers have risen significantly the Hill’s major walking tracks to repair and over the past few years. So far Oakey control erosion. This has included cutting Hill appears to be capable of sustaining grass to guide walkers away from eroded the kangaroo population along with an sections of the track and constructing increasingly diverse number of bird species. channels and small rock ‘dams’ to re-direct This is another exciting part of the story of and/or slow rainwater run-off on the steeper transformation on Oakey Hill since the 2003 sections. bushfires. This year we finally ‘came of age’ when An early aim of the ParkCare group was to we acquired our own dedicated tool kit undertake weed control in areas of high purchased for the group by the PCS. It has conservation value. Over the years, the been such a pleasure to have new, sharp group has extended these efforts to the rest tools! Gone are the days of the monthly tool of the reserve. The group’s monthly working ‘lottery’ when you were never sure what you bees have largely focused on the removal might have to work with on the day! of woody weeds, including Cootamundra Wattle, throughout the 66 hectare (163 acre) The Oakey Hill ParkCare Group’s regular reserve. working bees are on the third Sunday of the month from March through November. New The efforts of ParkCare volunteers have members are warmly welcomed. Ours is a very much reduced the numbers of relaxed and informal group. There’s always Cotoneasters Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, a stimulating conversation on offer and the Briar Rose Rosa rubiginosa, Firethorn time passes very quickly. We meet at 9 am Pyracantha angustifolia, Tree-of-heaven (the meeting place is advised by email) 23 and work until midday, stopping to enjoy a in all surveys. The Chocolate Wattled Bat relaxing morning tea (usually with a range Chalinolobus morio is another species which of freshly baked goodies). All tools and a also appears sensitive to habitat types and working partner are provided. absent from more urban areas.

If you would like to join us, please contact The East Coast Mastiff Bat Mormopterus( the Oakey Hill ParkCare Group co-ordinator ‘species 2’) –has not yet been formally described) was recorded on both nights—it John Butcher is a woodland species. Convenor, Oakey Hill Parkcare Group The following describes the bats recorded Email: [email protected] in the Red Hill and other ACT batwatch surveys.

Species Red Hill Red Hill 2/3/13 8/3/13 The bats of Red Hill Tadarida australis 3 1 Mormopterus ‘species 2’ 2 1 Along with other organisations and Chanilolobus gouldii 32 12 individuals in the ACT, Red Hill Regenerators Chanilolobus morio 2 participated in a batwatch survey in Vespadelus vulturnus 1 March 2013 to assist the Australasian Bat Society (ABS). Out in the cold and dark the White-striped Mastiff BatTadarida australis, ‘surveyors’ weren’t able to see any bats but one of the largest micro-bats in the the recorder logged more than 100 bat calls Canberra area, and also one of the most of which 60 were identified as five different distinctive, has types of bats. A good result. Details of the rich dark brown species, locations and number of recordings velvety fur with are given in the table below. The content very distinctive of this report is an edited version of the white stripes ABS report. We thank and acknowledge along each side Michael Pennay for the photos and doing of its body. The the analysis. white striped- The most common bat recorded in all mastiff bat is also White-striped Mastiff Bat. MP surveys across the ACT, and in all Red one of the most Hill locations, was Gould’s Wattled Bat commonly detected bats. It has a very low Chalinolobus gouldii. It appears quite frequency echolocation call at about 11-12 tolerant of a range of habitats including kHz, which is in the hearing range of many urban streets, parkland and reserves. The humans. It’s ‘tink’ ‘tink’ ‘tink’ call can often White-striped Mastiff BatTadarida australis be heard on warm nights as it forages for was the second most commonly recorded moths, beetles and larger flying insects high in the Red Hill survey and also in all ACT above the tree canopy or houses. The white surveys. striped mastiff spends its day in communal roosts in tree hollows. The little forest bat Vespadelus vulturnus was recorded on 2 March 2013. This is Eastern Freetail Bat Mormopterus‘species2’ quite a common bat in bushland areas, is about half the size of the White striped but appears sensitive to habitat types Mastiff Bat and has greyish fur. It belongs and was only recorded in larger areas of to a group of bats that have only recently bushland and absent from more urban sites been recognised as a separate species and 24 does not yet have a formal scientific name. These bats prefer foraging in woodlands and are

Eastern Freetail Bat. MP not very frequently recorded in the urban areas. Its echolocation Gould’s Wattled Bat. MP call is similar to the White-striped Mastiff usually roosts in tree hollows, but appears Bat but about three times higher (30kHz) quite adaptable and will utilise buildings and which is more than 10kHz above human other structures including bat nest boxes. It hearing range. is also adaptable in its habitat and has been Eastern Free-tail Bats feed on a range of recorded in all habitats including suburban flying insects including many agricultural areas, sporting fields, town centres and pests. They usually roost in tree hollows but parkland. occasionally use man-made structures like Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio fence posts and under caps on power poles. is slightly smaller than Gould’s Wattled Bat and has brown chocolate coloured fur. It Evening bats roosts in family groups during the day in Evening bats Verspertilionidae are often tree hollows (and sometimes buildings). It called common bats in the Canberra is particularly common in bushland along region, where there are more species of the Great Dividing Range but was not evening bats than other bat families. They commonly recorded in urban environments are generally small plain looking bats, in Canberra. although some, like the long-eared bats have distinctive characteristics. There are Forest bats several groups (genera) within the evening Forest bats (genus Vespadelus) - Red Hill bat family. recorded one species of forest bat, the Little Wattled bats (genus Chalinolobus) are also Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus which is sometimes called lobe-lipped bats because the smallest bat in the Canberra region and they have small fleshy projections on the amongst the smallest mammals in the world. side of their lips (wattles). Two species of A full grown adult male weighs about three wattled bat were recorded in the Red Hill grams (about the same as a five cent coin). survey. They feed extensively on small flying insects like mosquitoes consuming hundreds or Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii is thousands in a single night. the bat most commonly seen in Canberra. It is a medium sized bat with a distinctive dark ‘mane’ covering its head and shoulders. It is often the first bat to emerge in the evening, often before dark when it can be seen flying silhouetted against the last light in the sky. It has a distinctive ‘flip-flop’ echolocation call with each call alternating in frequency between 28 and 30 kHz. It Forest Bat. MP 25 Forest bats appear to prefer natural whole new part of Mugga Mugga and will woodland and forest areas and were only probably mean some additional work for us. recorded in areas containing large amounts When the track was first made it was very of bushland. attractive to kangaroos but now there is more bike and foot traffic. Sue Ross In September, Woo O’Reilly from Upper Convenor, Red Hill Regenerators Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, coupled [email protected] with volunteers from the US Embassy to plant grasses on an eroded slope near the East O’Malley pond. The event was also an opportunity to engage the O’Malley Isaacs Ridge Mount Mugga Mugga residents in ParkCare. We hope that the ParkCare Group plants and extra seed will grow to stop The Isaacs Ridge Mount Mugga Mugga further erosion in this patch. ParkCare Group has continued to remove It was disappointing to find recently Pyracantha, Briar Rose, Irish Strawberry that nearly all of the Drooping She-oaks Tree and other woody weeds from the Allocasuarina verticillata planted two years reserves. We have revisited some previous ago have been stripped bare by kangaroos. work but most of our weed removal has The trees had grown well to an average been in new areas. height of 1.5 metres but it would appear that We were lucky to have the help of this winter has been hard for kangaroos (or Conservation Volunteers Australia for a the trees had simply grown to a size that week to make major inroads on woody was attractive to them). Let’s hope there is weeds. Local and overseas volunteers enough green left to allow recovery. provided a lot of assistance in an area of large plants. There must have been ten different species to deal with.

Thanks to a nomination by Sue Vidler, our coordinator Michael Sim received the Environment Award in the 2013 ACT Volunteer of the Year Awards in recognition of his individual work and role as coordinator of the Group.

In September, members of the Australian Native Plant Society took a walk through Common Hovea Isaacs Ridge. the northern section of Isaacs Ridge and recorded 80 native plant species, some of Michael Sim which are protected species. Next year we Convenor, Isaacs Ridge Mount Mugga will concentrate on clearing weeds around Mugga Parkcare Group these sites. Email: [email protected] Planning for the Canberra Centenary Trail has been followed with interest. After several changes in the route the trail has now been made along existing management trails on Isaacs Ridge and some new trails in Mount Mugga Mugga. This opens a 26 Parkcarers of Southern into the weirs using River Oak Casuarina Murrumbidgee (POSM) cunninghamiana and Red-stemmed Wattle Acacia rubida. The plants have been placed POSM has had a busy year as usual, with our into hay bales or amongst rocks, and continued focus being upon rehabilitation surprisingly many have survived. The aim is in Barneys Gully. After the long drought, to create vegetation gabions that increase we started testing different methods (from the long-term stability of the weirs and 2008) that are now showing strong signs of hopefully enable success. Our methods rely solely on low- us to remove the cost materials provided by PCS Rangers or star pickets in free locally sourced material. the future. The group has constructed a number of We are lucky leaky weirs along the main gully and side to have a large gullies, which are designed to hold back reed bed full of water and their size depends on the width Common Reed of the channel at certain points. In some Phragmites cases we have staked in a series of one australis and or two hay bales, that seem to promote Bulrushes Typha the natural establishment of rushes such sp. upstream in as Ribbed Spikerush Eleocharis plana the gully. We and Common Rush Juncus usitatus have utilised this downslope of the hay bale. The downside Series of hay bales in Barneys resource many Gully used as a steep gully of this method is that the bales eventually times by digging rehabilitation method. LC deteriorate and get washed away in heavy up clumps of flows. However, we believe the benefits reeds with their roots, and transplanting outweigh the inconvenience of replacing them downstream. We also collect seed them around once a year. and spread it along the gully. Both methods Wider areas have large structures made have led to the successful establishment and from materials such as logs, rocks, hay spread of reeds upstream and downstream bales, coir logs, wire and star pickets to hold of our leaky weirs. everything in place. The weirs are continual POSM have also planted a great number of works-in-progress as we frequently plant species in the area, with the dominant assess their condition and whether any species being River Bottlebrush Callistemon maintenance needs to be done. POSM has sieberi, Creek Teatree Leptospermum recently started putting perched plantings

Barneys gully area in 2008 prior to weir construction Some POSM members at top weir, Barneys Gully, after but after bank battering and Acacia rubida planting. a hard day constructing rock walls. Leaky weir and LC reeds in the background. LC 27 obovatum, River Oak Casuarina beware when you visit the corridor! cunninghamiana and various Acacia species. Thanks as always to the PCS rangers for We have had a very good success rate all their efforts in getting our group plants over the past few years, probably due to and resources, and their ongoing support good rainfalls and perhaps also due to for our activities. And thanks also to all the the increased capacity for water storage volunteers who come along and enjoy our in the landscape. There is a noticeable lovely part of the world. It beats the gym change in the structure of vegetation when any day! looking down the gully, with the dominant African Lovegrass Erogrotis curvula now Lauren Carter interspersed with many shrubs up to around Convenor, ParkCarers of Southern one metre tall. Murrumbidgee

Other activities Email [email protected] this year included Clean Up Australia Day in March. The group collected The Friends of Glenburn (Kowen) rubbish mainly The past year has been another busy one around the Point for the Friends of Glenburn and the PCS Hut Crossing car protecting and conserving early European park area and structures in the Glenburn/Burbong historic were amazed precinct in the Kowen Forest. These are the at the number major achievements for the year. Point Hut Crossing, Rachel, John, Lauren, Deb, of bottles and Volunteers spent 60 hours painting the new Maggie with some of the cans we found. rubbish collected on Clean post and rail fences at Glenburn Homestead We removed 13 Up Australia Day at Point Hut and the Colverwell graves with 40 litres of Crossing. LC bags of rubbish, decking oil. much of which we were able to recycle. It is essential to remove this rubbish from Coppins Homestead ruins in Molonglo the landscape as it doesn’t take much for Stage 2 and sites in the Kowen forest it to end up being washed downstream were included in nominations for the ACT into other environments along the Heritage Register (most of the other sites in Murrumbidgee River. We have also sprayed the Glenburn/Burbong historic precinct are briar and hawthorn, pulled out serrated included in earlier nominations). tussock and removed many guards from Almost all the blackberries have been some Ribbon Gum Eucalyptus viminalis that cleared from Colliers Homestead (pre mid we planted and that have thrived along the 1880) ruins and orchard, from Coppins river corridor. Homestead (1891) ruins and Curleys Hut We have noticed an increase in the rabbit (1882/83) ruins. Over the past year or so, activity in the area, particularly along volunteers have spent more than 400 hours the sandy river floodplain. There are on this backbreaking but rewarding work. also very large mobs of kangaroos in the Repairs were made to the south-west paddocks which may be restricting the corner of the pise home (1901) of Glenburn growth of native herbs and forbs. We also Homestead by specialist contractors. The spotted the first Eastern Brown Snake of corner was in danger of collapse. the season on 21 September, so always 28 Curleys Hut ruins in July 2013 after being liberated CIT students laying out part of the string grid prior to from blackberries. CM preparing the map of Colliers orchard. CM Staff of the CIT visited Colliers orchard. and Catherine Coppin were shown the ruins Aspects of the orchard are being included of Coppins homestead in late October. in some courses. One group of students is These drive/walks provide an opportunity preparing a detailed map of the orchard and for members of the public to visit the sites it will make specific recommendations for with ease since they are located behind the orchard’s preservation. locked gates.

Headstones of the Colverwell graves (1837) Research in September 2013 discovered that were wrapped with black plastic to help Curleys Hut was a five room slab cottage control lichen. The plastic was removed with a verandah and a separate kitchen. three months later and the dead lichen At a meeting with PCS staff in September, brushed off. the work program through to August 2014, Interpretive signs were installed at Coppins for PCS and The Friends was discussed. Homestead ruins and inside the slab home The main tasks will include capping and (1897) of Glenburn Homestead bringing repointing the walls of Colliers Homestead the number of interpretive signs in the ruins, the installation of a rabbit proof fence historic precinct to five. The others are at surrounding Colliers Homestead ruins and the Colverwell graves, outside Glenburn orchard and repairs to the slab home of Homestead (1897-1901) and at Colliers Glenburn Homestead. Homestead ruins and orchard. They help On 19 October 2013, the Minister for visitors put the sites into their historical Territory and Municipal Services, Shane context; Rattenbury MLA, visited several sites in the The National Parks Association of the ACT Glenburn/Burbong historic precinct with website www.npaact.org.au under The PCS staff, members of the National Parks Friends of Glenburn, published an article Association of the ACT, members of The setting out the protection and conservation Friends of Glenburn and some descendants achievements by PCS and The Friends over of the Edmonds family who built Glenburn the past eight years and some of the things Homestead. The Minister thanked the still to be done. PCS, the NPA, The Friends of Glenburn and others that had been involved in the Volunteers conducted guided drives/walks significant protection and conservation that through the historic precinct. The first was had been carried out in the last five years. in April as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival and the second was for The Edmonds family were also associated the National Parks Association of the ACT with Colliers Homestead. in September. Sixteen descendants of John 29 During much of the first half of 2013, the Friends spent time eradicating blackberry growing along the Tidbinbilla River. Blackberry is sprayed by PCS throughout much of the reserve but of course it can’t be sprayed along the river bank. One work party quickly became three as we realised that what we thought was an occasional plant actually moved towards a huge thicket of the stuff towering above our heads. Although we cut out a substantial amount, there is more to remove so we are intending The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, on returning to this task later in the year. Shane Rattenbury MLA, talking with members of the Parks and Conservation Service and Friends of Glenburn at Glenburn Homestead. LH Weed control has consumed a great deal of our time, as did our ongoing waterwatch monitoring and bird survey.

We spend our August work party planting at the Tidbinbilla Sanctuary below the weir. There is an area below the lookout where people have been walking off the sealed path, causing erosion. We assisted Rangers to obscure this unsanctioned track with vegetation. This will also allow soil to accumulate when it rains rather than completely run off. We then we planted Diane, Andrew and James Thorne at Colliers some Matt Rush Lomandra sp. and native Homestead interpretive sign. Diane is the granddaughter of John James Edmonds and Agnes grasses translocated from nearby. Our May Edmonds who built Glenburn Homestead. September work party was spent helping Andrew and James are her 2 sons. CM Rangers relocate part of the Birrigai Time Col McAlister Trail that was eroding.

Convenor, Friends of Glenburn Over winter, a few activities were cancelled Emailto:[email protected] due primarily to high winds and subsequent closure of the Tidbinbilla reserve.

We are planning our annual weekend work Friends of Tidbinbilla party at Nildesperandum and the season Naturally a highlight this year for the group, as would have been for many groups, was the launch of the very impressive Labour of Love- Celebrating Landcare in the ACT book produced by the Southern ACT Catchment Group and edited by fellow ParkCarers Wendy Rainbird, Kathy Eyles, Jennie Widdowson, and the then SACTCG coordinator Steve Welch. It is a beautiful production and those responsible for it should be very proud. The Friends planting Lomandra in the Sanctuary. FS 30 for Frogwatch is also fast approaching. also spent significant time on erosion gully We were successful in the recent round of rehabilitation and barbed wire removal. Heritage Grants in obtaining some money Highlights during the year included to erect a number of interpretive signs at the beginning of the Indigenous Land Nildesperandum which will take up some time for the remainder of this year and early into next year.

Repairing an erosion gully KMc An emu resting FS Management Project and a tour we Fiona Spier conducted for students from the Canberra Convenor, Friends of Tidbinbilla CIT. With the National Parks Association of the ACT, we successfully applied for a small Email: [email protected] 2012-13 ACT Environment Grant for a Project entitled ‘Trial rehabilitation of selected areas of Namadgi National Park having regard Gudgenby Bush Regeneration to traditional land management practices.’ Group (GBRG) Members of both groups attended a two day workshop facilitated by Friends of The Gudgenby Bushies have had a busy year Grasslands (FOG) entitled ‘Indigenous since 1 July 2012. We held 17 work parties Values in the Landscape’ presented by a in the 12 months or an average of almost respected Aboriginal Elder Mr Rod Mason. 1.5 work parties every month. The higher Our aim was to undertake preparatory number results from additional work parties work to strengthen our learnings from that we had for activities like seed collection and workshop, with a view to reintroducing the Indigenous Land Management Project. appropriate traditional land management The highest total attendance for a month practices in the longer term. was 19 volunteers and the lowest six, with Our activities to date have included meeting an average attendance of nine and a median relevant stakeholders from the PCS and the attendance of 14. In total we spent about Murumbung Yurung Murra, undertaking a 884 hours on volunteer activities. To this cultural tour of the Yankee Hat area with number we can add 44 hours of Waterwatch Ngunnawal Country Ranger Adrian Brown, activities undertaken by Martin Chalk during locating and collecting seeds, working on an the year. erosion gully, and weeding in selected areas. Our major activities for the year were weed The project will continue in the coming eradication (34%), rabbit warren mapping year. It is a long term project for us and we (20%), Indigenous Land Management will continue to observe, learn and apply Project (15%)—this overlapped with some what we have learnt. other activities like seed collection and Martin Chalk continued his water watch weeding—and seed collection (14%). We activities on behalf of the group. These 31 Snow in July, walkers not workers. AN Michael Goonrey

Convenor, Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group

Barbed wire removal. KMc Email:[email protected] comprised bi-monthly water physical/ chemical observations and wildlife reports, an annual macro-invertebrate count in October and an annual riparian assessment Jarramlee Park Landcare in February. Jarramlee Park Landcare, part of the Ginninderra Catchment Group, works in Covering roughly a 12 month period, the open urban area known as Jarramlee about 394 mm of rain was recorded in Park (Dunlop) which is on the other side our gauge near Yankee Hat car park. This of Ginninderra Drive from the main suburb compares with 950 mm of rain in the and behind Macgregor. In this area are previous year. That is, a drop from about two settlement ponds (previously Dunlop 38 inches to about 16 inches under the old Settlement Ponds 1 and 2), which the group scale. As a result weed growth was not as named Jarramlee Pond and Fassifern Pond great as in the previous year. and were officially gazetted. In consultation We would like to acknowledge the with TAMS, a park bench was installed at unfailing assistance and support of Parks each pond. Signs were also installed at each staff without whom we simply could not pond with the pond name and pictures of undertake our volunteer activities. some of the birds and frogs that inhabit the The higher elevation for the area means ponds as well as dog control information. that the Gudgenby Valley is subject to There are two creeks running through the severe frosts in winter with the surrounding area, Ginninderra Creek and Gooromon range often covered in snow. This snow can Ponds Creek with a lot of open urban space reach the valley floor at times as shown and walkways. Across Ginninderra Creek in the photo taken at the intended work there is a golden sun moth reserve. party in July 2007 entitled “GBRG walkers We have five Landcare plantings: site 1 rather than workers”. below Cashion Court on the slope leading to Ginninderra Creek and the old Charnwood crossing; sites 2 and 3 next to Jarramlee Did you know? Pond, two on the Jarramlee Homestead According to Wikipedia, the lowest Road (off Hugh McKay Crescent); site 4 near minimum temperature recorded in the the gate on the left; and site 5 on the left ACT was minus 14.6 degrees Celsius at across the road from Fassifern Pond, by the Gudgenby on 11 July 1971. walkway from Jarramlee Pond. Several trees were planted recently next to the pond, with more planned by our group. 32 all survived. On another occasion after some heavy rain, one cygnet was washed through the outflow cage and fell to the bottom. A passing walker heard it calling, rescued the cygnet and returned it safely to its family. Once while doing Waterwatch a flight of 30 cormorants landed on the water at Jarramlee Pond. The birds made quite a noise as they landed and it was a wonderful sight.

Site 2 development, Jarramlee Pond PF The two ponds have a variety of waterbirds living and breeding, such as purple swamp hens, dusky moorhens, Eurasian coots, and, for several years, swans. Other species visiting are grebes, herons, egrets, darters pelicans and several types of cormorant. There are also several duck Sites 2 and 3, Jarramlee Pond PF species including shovelers, wood ducks, Our group’s main focus is on improving the black ducks and the occasional speckled biodiversity of the area (planting a variety duck. This makes the area popular with of species to attract birds and insects) bird watchers. The walkways are used by visually improving the area, maintaining the families, cyclists, and dog walkers, especially plantings, and controlling weeds. Rubbish in the summer evenings with daylight clean ups are important as being on the saving. Jarramlee Pond is a regular fishing urban fringe, a lot of rubbish dumping spot for catching golden perch and redfin. occurs. We regularly participate in Clean The plant sites attract many species of Up Australia Day. We also undertake small birds, including honeyeaters, finches, Frogwatch and Waterwatch, in liaison with thornbills, the occasional hunting goshawk the Ginninderra Catchment Group. We or visiting Boobook Owl. In the area near are a very social group and welcome new Fassifern, some rare birds have been seen members. Details for our group appear in including hooded robins, little eagles and the Ginninderra Catchment Group website: rainbow bee-eaters. The plant sites have www.ginninderralandcare.org.au also made the area more attractive, with flowering shrubs, trees and some forbs. Pamela Fawke

There is always something of interest going Convenor, Jarramlee Park Landcare on! The nesting swans are always a big focus Email: [email protected] in the local community. At Fassifern Pond, one parent disappeared, possibly taken by a fox or hit by a car. The other parent was left sitting on the eggs. As it couldn’t leave the nest to feed, a supply of chopped spinach, lettuce and chicken pellets were delivered to it by wading to the nest. The eggs successfully hatched and the cygnets

33 Fetherston Gardens Weston Creek Fetherston Gardens are now open to the community. The original TAFE/CIT Weston School of Horticulture garden and arboretum have been hidden on Heysen Street Weston for the last 39 years and now after much hard work from TAMS and the Friends of Fetherston Gardens they are on their way and saved for use by the community. We have had the immense pleasure of meeting and sharing with the family of Tony Fetherston, in celebrating his Chris pruning our 39 year old fruit tree espalier. LP achievements and vision for the Weston site. survived. Every surviving plant has been The gardens were officially opened on 12 celebrated and we are propagating these October 2013. gems. We like to follow up these areas with mulch, and have spread over 200 square metres with our trusty wheelbarrows and people power.

These gardens certainly like to show off in all seasons, and as the weeds and dead trees disappear to mulch, lovely surprises appear around each bend on the garden path. We have a delightful new pergola and gazebo, made by TAMS’ staff with some of the old feature timbers, retaining the New entrance to Fetherston Gardens. LP original character of the structures. The wisteria arbour has been repaired and we We are very proud of the continued efforts will be retraining the old species back over of our volunteers and their commitment to the structure. Our pond has been relined the gardens over these last two and half and refilled with our original plants and fish. years. It is to be applauded and without We as a friends group are always grateful the generosity of our valued volunteers for the work of TAMS and the PCS. Working there would be no garden today. Certainly together as a team, we have built a strong there have been times when we questioned partnership that has enabled the garden our efforts and wondered if it was ever project to move ahead smoothly. Our possible to turn the corner and really combined experiences and skills have make a difference. It has been a mammoth worked well together for the gardens. undertaking, the endless acres of gardens and arboretum. The garden was covered in The Fetherston Gardens and arboretum ivy, every tree and shrub had succumbed. has begun a new journey. Our goals of We have volunteers who return every month restoration regeneration and renewal have just to remove ivy. All this work is done by become a reality and we will continue hand, allowing any precious remnant of on with these ideals. The gardens have living plant to be protected and hopefully survived. They are living, growing, and grow again. Indeed we have had bulbs changing. We will continue to work towards multiply when the ivy was removed and the master plan. We will grow and learn discovered lots of plant treasures that had alongside the gardens and embrace the 34 changes that will come. Our hope is that the community will find these gardens to be a place of tranquility and joy as we the Friends have found them to be.

The Fetherston Garden Friends hold regular working bees to preserve maintain and renew plantings within the gardens. Our project development plan is to ensure that the Fetherston Gardens legacy continues the tradition of teaching and learning, and that the gardens are well maintained for use North Belconnen landcare group by the community. We will continue on with parents. Twenty to 30 children attend each our working bees and welcome all to join us. Joey Scout activity. Through supporting young people to become actively involved We meet on the last Sunday and second in on-ground landcare practices, the North Wednesday of every month, except Belconnen Junior Landcare Group has December and January from 10 am -1 pm. continued to assist young people to gain Entrance is located in Fetherston Place, off improved understanding of environmental Heysen Street, Weston. Please check for issues. updates and information from the Weston Creek Community Council or Fetherston Landcare activities undertaken by young Gardens Friends. people involved in the group this year include: Lesley Pattinson • collecting native seeds; Website: www.wccc.com.au • planting native grass by direct seeding; Email: fetherstongardens@gmail. • planting native tree species;

• riparian zone species include Casuarina North Belconnen Landcare Group and Callistemon species; This year the North Belconnen Junior • dry slopes species such as Snow Gums, Landcare Group has continued to effectively Grevillea sp. and False Sarsparilla engage young people in Landcare activities. Hardenbergia violaceae; In recognition of their efforts the Landcare • weed control (African Lovegrass, Group received an award under the Junior Chillean Needle Grass, St John’s Wort Landcare Category of the 2013 ACT and others); Landcare Awards. • mulching around the trees and shrubs; Often known affectionately as ‘Landcare • frost protection of young frost-sensitive for Littlies’, the North Belconnen Junior plants; Landcare Group is principally targeted at increasing the environmental awareness • protecting areas of high conservation of primary school aged children and their grassland from damage by using stakes families. The group also regularly involves and coloured tape; and the local scout group ‘Joey Scouts’, high • assisting tree and shrub recruitment by school students and young pre-school aged placing tree guards around self-seeded children. The weekly Landcare activities shrubs and trees; and undertaking involve an average of 15 children and erosion control through track 35 maintenance. Group has embraced Facebook with a great degree of success. Members of the North Each Junior Landcare activity is used as a Belconnen Junior Landcare Group report learning opportunity to help instill greater that regular uploading of photos onto understanding and an environmental ethic their Facebook page helps maintain young among the young people involved. The people’s interest in Landcare activities. Group’s Coordinator ensures that education These photos allow young people who are regarding ecosystem functioning, weeds, unable to attend a weekly sessions to keep native species and general Landcare informed of Landcare activities and the philosophy is provided in conjunction with children involved enjoy seeing their photos the hands-on environmental work. There on the internet. is a focus on creative and fun teaching strategies. Parents often mention that The North Belconnen Junior Landcare their children talk about the grass species Coordinator has written a Landcare song they have been taught at the previous that assists in engaging young people in Landcare session and can differentiate Junior Landcare activities. The group’s between ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’, referring coordinator is also a piano teacher and to natives and weeds. Children as young a number of junior landcarers have been as two years of age have been able to recruited through this avenue. The original identify weed species following their Landcare song she wrote is a simple tune, attendance at Landcare activities. The which sums up the activities of the group. Junior Landcare Group involves children Landcare is the name of our team, and parents from diverse cultural and We try to keep the country green, employment backgrounds. The parents of We gather the seeds, pull out the weeds, the children involved in the North Belconnen Junior Landcare Group regularly express Plant native grasses, shrubs and trees. appreciation for family friendly activities The North Belconnen Junior Landcare Group with an educational input. has continued its success this year in raising awareness, knowledge and understanding of The North Belconnen Junior Landcare Landcare among young people in the ACT by implementing on-ground Landcare works.

Lenore Hodgkinson

Convenor, North Belconnen Junior Landcare Group

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: North Belconnen Landcare Group

Child watering a tree. PD 36 ACT Landcare Awards Highly Commended: Stephen Skinner, Molonglo Waterwatch Coordinator In September 2013, the ACT Landcare Awards were held at a gala breakfast at Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices The Boathouse by Lake Burley Griffin. The Award event was organised by the Environment Winner: Majura Valley Free Range Eggs and Sustainable Directorate and sponsored by Landcare Australia Ltd, Qantas, Westpac, Partnerships with Landcare Award the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Winner: Source Water Protection Program- Forestry and Taylors Wines. ACTEW Water

Congratulations to all the nominees, winners Highly commended: Rob Thorman–Land and highly commended. Development Agency Winners of the 2013 ACT Landcare Awards: Westpac Agribusiness Innovative Young Quiet Achiever (ACT Government Award) Landcare Leader

Co-winner: Ken Hodgkinson, North Highly Commended: Karina Paloma Bontes Belconnen Landcare Group, Forward, The Dirty Beanstalk ANU

Co-winner: John Fitz Gerald, Friends of Individual Landcarer Grasslands Winner: Caroline Wenger–Convenor, Indigenous Land Management Award Umbagong Landcare Group Winner: Yurung Dhaura Aboriginal Land Highly commended: Jenny Horsfield, Management Team Minders of Tuggeranong Homestead

Junior Landcare Team Award Joslyn van der Moolen Winner: Lanyon Cluster of Schools–Giving to ACT Landcare Facilitator the Environment Project www.actlandcare.org.au Highly Commended: North Belconnen Junior Landcare Group

Facilitator or Coordinator Award Interview with Caroline Wenger, Winner: Angela Calliess–Greening Australia Convener, Umbagong Landcare Capital Region Group

Highly commended: Pauline Carder, Upper Winner of the ACT Individual Landcarer Murrimbidgee Catchment Coordinating Award Committee Why did you first join landcare? Qantas Landcare Innovative Community I first joined in my early twenties. I wanted Group Award to protect the environment but in a practical Winner: Hughes Garran Woodlands Group way and I took the ‘think global, act local’ ethic to heart. In the end, the environment Highly Commended: The Friends of Aranda is the sum of its parts and if you care about Bushland it you need to do your bit to protect the Environment Community Support Award bush that’s closest to you. The big stage is (ACT Government Award) important too, but you can’t neglect the less glamorous hands-on work. Winner: Glenys Patulny, Chair Southern ACT Catchment Group 37 What sort of work can you do in a landcare You meet the group? Is it all hard yakka? people in your We have regular monthly working bees, neighbourhood. and that can be hard yakka. We cut and You can develop dab woody weeds, transplant reeds to a huge network of stabilise river banks and get on our hands friends not just in and knees to restore native grasslands. your own suburb Planting days are always fun too. There is so but even right much else a volunteer can do if they aren’t across Canberra. into getting dirty. We have a GPS mapping And it’s great project, we’ve got an ongoing bird survey exercise! Forget project, then there are public events to the gym. Get out organise, strategic planning, brochures to there and pull write, free courses, providing feedback into weeds or walk in Caroline Wenger with her government consultation processes. You the park regularly Individual Landcarer Award could get involved in all sorts of things. and survey birds as you go. What are the future challenges for landcare? Email: [email protected]

I think one of the biggest challenges in the ACT is that there are so many different agencies involved in managing public Prohibited plants being sold at land, each with different objectives. At nurseries Umbagong for example, you have agencies There have been a number of reports of concerned about preserving biodiversity, prohibited plants, such as the environmental managing to reduce fire risks, maintaining weeds including broom, privet and the park through mowing, upgrading paths cotoneaster, being sold at ACT plant and maintaining bridges. We also have nurseries. A current list of plants prohibited a significant heritage site. Coordinating for sale or propagation in the ACT is these different objectives to make sure one available from Steve Taylor. If you see any doesn’t compromise the other, yet ensuring of these listed plants being sold then please all objectives are met, is a major challenge. email Steve Taylor or Jenny Conolly with the There are some great staff in the ACT details. Government and in Ginninderra Catchment Group who are working to improve Email: [email protected] processes and understanding between all Email: [email protected] the different agencies involved.

What is the best thing about being part of a Photo credits Photo credits landcare group? John Brannan JB Lauren Carter LC John Butcher JBu Len Haskew LH There are so many great things. If you Michael Pennay MP Col McAlister CM actually look after your local bushland, you David Williams DW K McKue KMc take responsibility for it. It becomes ‘yours’ in Shane Gill SG Michael Goonrey MG Craig Lindenmayer CL A Nicholson AN a more real sense. It gives you a great sense Jill Faulkner JF Pamela Fawke PF of satisfaction to walk through the park and Jean Geue JG Parisa Dayani PD know that it’s looking so good because of Grant Woodbridge GW Lesley Pattinson LP what you and your group have done. I think Kathryn Eyles KE it also gives you a great sense of community. I Rayner IR Waltraud Pix WP 38