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It's interesting to see
just what a difference a local Habitat Bushcare group can make for
its community. Our group began in 1999 through to 2001 in an area
along part of the creek that was not directly maintained by the
Council. This small creek can be approached to the left
from the end of Frances Ave.
It was a mess! The grass was over a metre
high and the trees (Chinese Elms and Camphor Laurel) were large and
shady. The deep shade allowed only the most competitive of woody
weeds to grow beneath them through the shrub and ground layers. Large
areas of ground were covered in the weeds, purple succulent (Fragrant
itch plant) and Mother-in-laws Tongue (Sanseveria trifasciata); both
common garden plant escapees.
Once we started clearing the weeds, we
also discovered Mickey-Mouse Plant (Ochna serrata), Cocos Palm,
Asparagus Fern and Corky Passion Flower (Passiflora suberosa).
Through it all, we found builders' and domestic rubbish, and
a lots of beer bottles.
The following top left-hand photo shows a
section of the bank after we had cleared the area and replaced the
rubbish with native plants.You will see in the corresponding
right-hand photograph, it contains a diversity of local native
grasses, groundcovers, vines, shrubs and trees. In all our
rehabilitation areas, we use open eucalypt forest species that provide
much-needed habitat for local urban wildlife.
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