A local Landcare group has revitalised two important pockets of ‘big scrub’ rainforest with the help of a grant from the Raymond Borland Bequest grants program.
The bequest has helped the Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group to restore lowland rainforest remnants at Booyong Flora Reserve and Mortons Scrub, two high-conservation-value remnants that require active management to control the threat posed by many damaging weed species.
Raymond Borland resolved to assist future generations to preserve and enjoy the integrity of our natural assets and, as a result, his estate provided a bequest to Landcare Australia.
Big Scrub vegetation is listed as a critically endangered ecological community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.
The Lowland Rainforest Restoration project involved the poisoning and removal of Madeira Vine, Large and Small Leaved Privet, Morning Glory and Wanderer.
These vigorously growing weeds smother native plants, seriously degrading the forest structure and arresting natural regeneration. Removal of the weeds involved some determined spraying, digging and manual hard work to control the future spread of seeds and tubers not only within the sites but in the areas adjoining the boundaries.
Big Scrub Landcare president Tony Parkes said professional bush regenerators, landholders and the community worked together on the project.
‘Funding from the Raymond Borland Landcare grant has contributed to the restoration and management of Booyong Flora Reserve and Mortons Scrub, two critically endangered lowland rainforest remnants. Systematic control of weeds, which are the major threat to lowland rainforest, is critical to long-term health of the rainforest,’ he said.
The Raymond Borland Bequest grants program, managed by Landcare Australia, has supported 13 community environmental groups to undertake projects that will repair and restore the natural environment in rural and non-tidal areas of New South Wales.
