Bush Crew diaries December 2023

Published on 01 December 2023

Environmental volunteers appreciating the beauty of the emerald-lip greenhood orchid, listed as endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG).

Thank you, environmental volunteers!

The Bush Crew work with environmental groups and volunteers throughout the year to undertake a variety of conservation works which aid to enhance and protect our bushland reserves.

This year, some highlights from this collaboration have included:

• Participation in National Tree Day events to rehabilitate bushland sites previously invaded by exotic tree species. These sites were planted with a range of indigenous plant species.
• Species enrichment plantings, particularly through our remnant endangered grassland sites. Following plantings in winter, volunteers also participated in spring wildflower walks and evening spotlight walks led by bush crew rangers.
• Nest box building and monitoring of a range of nest boxes for species including gliders, possums, insects, microbats, and a variety of bird species.
• Monitoring the endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly through nocturnal caterpillar larvae counts. Volunteers led by bush crew rangers, headed out in the evening during spring to search for larvae by torchlight. This year, volunteers helped to count over 200 larvae, an achievement which could not have been undertaken without the support of environmental volunteers.
• The identification of a new indigenous plant species otherwise not known to exist within our bushland reserves. Bush crew rangers were thrilled at this recent discovery by volunteers with a keen eye and knowledge of indigenous flora.
• A range of weed removal works including ecological thinning of vegetation for Eltham Copper Butterfly habitat and other conservation works.

Environmental groups have had a long association with some of our bushland reserves, in some cases for over 50 years. However small or large their contribution, their support is highly valued and appreciated by the bush crew. Thank you, environmental volunteers.

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