Executives of insurance companies don't usually get down and dirty with workers on the ground. But on 10th June, executives from our insurance company, AON, joined a Conservation Volunteers Australia team to plant 250 rainforest trees at our Areca Gully site down from Contour Road, Eagle Heights. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

The area, once infested by lantana, has been cleared by local Landcare members, who have been working on this site for the past three years, along with our contractor Red Belly Bushcare.  

The federal government has given Tamborine Mountain Landcare a grant to restore this site, under its 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants scheme. By July 2016 we plan to eradicate the remaining weeds from a patch of approximately 1.5 ha and replant the area with local native trees. When Areca Gully is restored to rainforest it will be a fine addition to TM Landcare's other achievements, with its big boulders and towering remnant rainforest trees. 

         

A Year 4 Tamborine Mountain College class recently spent the morning learning about Tamborine Mountain Landcare's rainforest restoration work. After a brief talk by Landcare members Karin Schianetz and Judith Roland on ecosystems, biodiversity and water quality monitoring, the fun began.

Students got into some hands-on work. They each planted a tree and helped weed the new native display garden. Then, armed with nets, the class scooped up water bugs from the nearby creek and waterhole into containers. Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre teacher and Landcare volunteer, Lynn Churchill, explained how sensitive the various bugs are to water quality and how important they are to indicate the health of the creek. With the help of identification sheets and a microscope attached to a computer, the students were able to identify those bugs and view them up close.

This is learning at its best - engaging, practical and memorable. As one student said, "Best excursion ever!"

TM Landcare is committed to helping local schools teach students the importance of caring for the environment, especially here on our mountain. 

         

Here's a chance to taste the fun of being involved in our on-ground work. It's not too hard, it's a good company - and the morning tea goodies provided are a nice reward for our efforts.   

Next Tuesday, 23rd June, a working party will be planting lomandras along the gully behind the Youngman Family Park dog park.

If you'd like to join us, we'll be meeting at 8am at the Information Centre car park near Doughty Park.

Want more information? Phone the site team coordinator, Karin Schianetz, on 0413 532 953, or Wendy Morgan on 5545 4618.  

         

 ... and help restore our mountain's rainforests. 

Our friendly working groups are always glad to welcome new volunteers to join in the satisfying work of weeding, planting - and learning more about our wonderful natural forest environment. Whether you're a long-time member or a newcomer to Landcare, there's sure to be a team close to where you live.  

If you'd like to join in, learn more about a site and the work, find out when the next working bee is scheduled, contact one of our site team coordinators: 

• Youngman Family Park: Karin Schianetz, 0413 532 953
• Manitzky Park: Caroline Edwards, 5545 0453
• Contour/Kinabalu Roads: Wendy Morgan, 5545 4618
• Rosser Park: Gillian Blowers, 5545 4335
• John Dickson Conservation Park: Elizabeth Russell, 5545 3601
• Landcare Centre on Hartley Road: Judith Roland, 5545 2052
• Ohia Court: Judith Roland, 5545 2052
• Kalmia Court: Alan O'Neill, 0400 544 440

Our site teams know the truth of the saying, The more the merrier!  

Contact Judith Roland on 5545 2052 / 0429 808 206 or email her on juditroland@yahoo.com.au