FEATURE
A Council Bushcare Officer trains a group of new volunteers at Medlow Bath.
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Bushcare - A Community Activity
Do you like...
Then Bushcare is for you.
Aim: "To promote ecologically sound management of bushland within the City of Blue Mountains by fostering a sense of community responsibility for the natural environment and by supporting the community to enable program objectives to be met.” (Bushcare Policy: BMCC, 1998)
A Brief History of Bushcare in the Blue Mountains
The Bushcare Program has its origins in the Blue Mountains in the activities of early Bushcare groups such as Friends from Katoomba Falls Creek Valley, Fairy Dell Restoration Committee, Minnehaha Falls Landcare Group, Glenbrook Lagoon Society and Pope’s Glen Landcare Group. These groups commenced activities in late 1989 through to 1991. In response to these activities, Council in 1992 decided to fund a position to coordinate the activities of these groups. Since that time the number of groups and participants have been steadily increasing. Today there are over 60 groups in action and over 550 active volunteers. Council has 6 Bushcare Officers employed to resource, train and coordinate the groups.
What do Bushcare Groups Do?
A Bushcare Group will go out into their patch of bush each month, take note of what is left of the existing vegetation, and try to strengthen and encourage it to expand. They do this by a process called Bush Regeneration, which involves the removal of exotic weeds. This allows native plants to germinate and flourish. They work as a team, expanding into new areas, but also consolidating achievements already gained. This way a Bushcare Group makes net wins against the weeds, and with persistence can improve the natural and aesthetic values of their reserves. Other activities include stormwater control works, erosion control works, track maintenance and improvement, seed collection, plant propagation, public education, and other bushland management issues. For every hour council puts into the program the community puts in more than three. During the 2006/2007 financial year more than 8,200 volunteer hours were worked on Bushcare projects.
The Role of Council
In response to the activities or early Landcare groups that formed in 1989 such as Fairy Dell and Minehaha Falls Landcare Groups, Council, in 1992, decided to fund a position to coordinate the activities of these groups. Bushcare groups and participants in the program have steadily increased since 1992 and Council has fostered this growth by allocating additional resources to provide more Bushcare Officers and strong operational budgets. Qualified Council officers provide training in bush regeneration techniques and safety. Tools and other equipment are also provided for Bushcare groups working on Council's land.
The Social Side of Bushcare
Members of Popes Glen Bushcare Group - Alan Lane and Brian Currie have learnt of many great benefits of being involved in Bushcare. It is a great way to meet people in your local area. “It’s a great feeling to be working with the local community to restore out bushland Environment. If you come down to work on your local reserve the other members will warmly welcome you. The group will then work for a couple of hours, then stop for a morning or afternoon tea break”, said Alan. “ I have met a number of very interesting like-minded people by working with Bushcare”, said Brian.
When Alan asked what he has learnt from his involvement in Bushcare, he responded “Patience! And also learning all the time about the plants and animals and how ecosystems work”. Both Alan and Brian agree that it’s great to get outside in the fresh air, get a bit of exercise and help save our unique Australian bush.
Where are they? When do they work?
Bushcare groups are working almost every weekend and sometimes during the week. They generally work for one morning or afternoon a month. Click here to find the site closest to you and come along for a friendly, positive and educational work session. You will be supervised and trained by a qualified Council Bushcare Officer.
Contact
Council's Bushcare Section on Phone: (02) 4780 5528.
