Protecting the diversity of native plants is the main aim of Landcare groups in Port Stephens. This also provides important habitat for our native fauna, including our treasured and dwindling koala population.
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The local focus lately has been on re-establishing areas of koala feed trees. These will provide important habitat for a diminishing koala population and, in the meantime, the lower hanging branches of the new trees can be easily accessed by koala carers to feed sick koalas.
Over 60 community volunteers planted out 300 native plants at Vantage Estate on National Tree Day and there are many stories from other successful planting days which have appeared in local newspapers, which is important to note as we mark Landcare Week (September 2-8).
As developments encroach on our natural environment, Landcare volunteers become all the more important. They not only plant more native species but also spend countless hours weeding the existing bushland areas.
This helps local endemic species to re-establish. These are the plants which will survive best into the future.
Corlette Reserves and Landcare Group is just one of many groups of volunteers who enjoy doing this type of work. Anyone who loves working outdoors should consider this option to volunteer. It is good exercise as well.
We get to work in some of the most beautiful natural places and then have our friendly cuppa afterwards.
Baggies Bush Regen group work fortnightly along the Bartlett Cycleway on Wednesdays and on alternate Mondays we work in seven different sites including the Corlette foreshore and in suburban Corlette.
Local Landcare groups are fortunate to be able to access free native plants from the Little Beach Ngioka facility which is now run by volunteers with support from Port Stephens Council.
There are so many pockets of valuable bushland which our current volunteers would love to help protect - we just cannot do it all.
We would love to see new groups established, for example, in Vantage Estate to care for the remaining bushland and corridors for wildlife.
Details of Landcare volunteering opportunities are available on Port Stephens Council's website. To volunteer at Corlette, phone (02) 4981 2881.