On Saturday 21 October, the Bullsbrook Landcare celebrated its 20th Birthday. Our fancy official name is North Swan Land Conservation District Committee!
The celebration began with enthusiastic members and visitors (some of whom have helped us out over the years) enjoying a bushwalk led by Dr Mike Bamford (Ecologist) and Richard Janes (one of the founding members of the group and the current Chairperson). The walk took in some of the Bulls Brook Biodiversity Corridor (BBBC) in West Bullsbrook that has been the focus of a lot of revegetation work undertaken by the group over the last 20 years. It was pleasing to show off the positive results that have occurred from revegetating degraded farm land (the land used to be a dairy farm) which now provides a lovely habitat for birds, reptiles, and flora. The area also includes a beautiful revegetated wetland which is now home to a wide variety of frogs. The work has also highlighted the importance of continued management and maintenance of project areas with regards to weed control and monitoring of the successes and failures. A lot has been learnt over the years about best practices and more recent revegetation projects include a wider range of plants to provide not only trees but shrubs and groundcover providing a more diverse habitat, more similar to natural bush. Also present was Humphery Park, another one of the founding members and a current WA Farmers Federation representative.
Following the bushwalk, the group moved to the Bullsbrook Museum in Turner Rd, West Bullsbrook where we enjoyed morning tea. Our guest presenters Dr Mike Bamford, Dr David Cook (Entomologist) and Rosanna Hindmarsh (Chittering Landcare Centre Manager) gave very interesting talks on the findings from bird, flora and fauna surveys carried out on the BBBC including before and after photos. Dr Cook informed us of the plight of livestock when affected by Stable Fly that have been allowed to breed in rotting vegetable matter, particularly associated with market gardening. There is up to date research for how infestations of Stable Fly can be controlled and the best practices for the industry to follow. If local residents are aware that Stable Fly is present, they can report the location to the Department of Agriculture for investigation.
Bullsbrook Landcare donated some native plants (supplied by Muchea Tree Farm) to the Bullsbrook Museum to beautify areas around buildings. Plants were ceremoniously planted then a scrumptious lunch followed, with the event culminating in the cutting of the birthday cake!
Feedback from the day has been extremely positive and we would like to thank everyone who came to support us on the day. We are very fortunate to have support from the Chittering Landcare Centre staff who complete grant applications, co-ordinate bodies to plant trees on a mass scale each year and much, much more! The Chittering Landcare Centre provides a wealth of experience and know-how to the Landcare community. Bullsbrook Landcare is run by volunteers and we would really like to welcome some new members to join us in caring for our local environment. We only hold six meetings per year and with new members we hope to continue the good work of Landcare within the community for another 20 Years and beyond!
For more information please contact Anne on 0405 736 831.
