|
Lane
Cove National Park Volunteer Bushcare Program
On
this page:
How
to become a volunteer
| What is Bush
Regeneration?
| Why so many weeds | Ways
to help | Support for volunteers | Benefits
Lane Cove National
Park now has a thriving Bushcare Program running under the supervision
of a National Parks Bushcare Coordinator. There are groups currently
working on different days from every week to once a month. These
groups are working to overcome the deterioration of the bushland
in the Park due to the effects of urban development.
There has been
much native plant regeneration since the 1994 bushfires, but weeds
are also thriving in many areas, threatening to overcome new native
growth and eventually destroy the bushland. Volunteers receive training
and advice on regenerating the native bushland, and have the chance
to meet other locals with similar intersts, as well as learning
about the cultural and historical heritage of the park.
Perhaps
there's a group near you that you'd like to join.
Becoming
a Bushcare volunteer
Experience
is not necessary. You will receive on-the-spot training and have
the opportunity to attend periodic workshops.
How
to join up
To
find out more about the Program or to join a group
What
is Bush Regeneration?
'Bush regeneration
is the practice of restoring weed infested bushland to its native
state as far as possible based on minimal disturbance methods and
an understanding of the ecological processes involved.'
(Australian Association of Bush Regenerators)
Why
are there so many weeds?
The Park is
bounded by approximately 2000 residences which present problems
of
- Urban stormwater
runoff polluting soils and waterways and carrying weed seed into
the river and creekside vegetation
- Excess nutrients
added to the system from overuse of fertiliser, runoff from gardens,
pet excreta
- Altered
fire regimes
- Dumping
of grass clippings, garden refuse and building rubbish in the
Park or around its borders
- Garden escapes
- weed seeds carried by birds, water or wind into the bushland
- Bushwalkers
carrying seeds on boots
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Volunteers
can help in many different ways
- Bush regeneration
on one of the more than 30 sites where groups work, usually 3
hours at a time, on a regular basis. This may be weekly, fortnightly,
monthly, weekdays or weekends
- Collection
of seed and propagation of plants in the Park's nursery
- Admin duties
with the Program's co-ordinator
Support
for volunteers
The Volunteer
Bushcare Program is recognised as an integral part of the Lane Cove
National Park Plan of Management.
Registered
volunteers receive
- Insurance
cover with the Park's Volunteer Policy
- initial
training
- technical
assistance with planning of projects, site assessment and management
- loan of
tools
- indigenous
native plants for replanting projects
- national
parks access passes
Volunteers
are required to adhere to the policies of the Lane Cove National
Park Plan of Management.
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Benefits
for the volunteer
- A chance
to make a positive difference to our environment
- New friends
with similar interests
- Exercise
- Training
- Work experience
- Free entry
into NSW national parks
- Newsletter
and formal recognition
- Volunteer
Activities
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