Bushcare
What is Bushcare?
Bushcare is Council's program of restoration and rehabilitation of bushland reserves and public land by volunteers. Volunteers are involved in looking after the native bush, plant identification, fauna monitoring, weed control and seed collection for propagation at the Community Nursery.
Most of our volunteers work in public reserves across The Hills Shire clearing weeds, regenerating and planting local species. Under the guidance of qualified staff, they engage in:
- habitat restoration
- creek and wetland restoration
- revegetation
- track maintenance
- recording of fauna sightings
- exotic pest control
- grassland maintenance
- seed collection
What other bushcare related activities can I become involved in?
Volunteers can also become involved in other activities such as:
Bushland Conservation Committee
The Bushland Conservation Committee is a group of volunteers that come together once a month to look at what is happening in bushland reserve around the council area; they put written reports forward to council with recommendations on bushland areas, and support other community groups fighting for the environment. For further information on how to become involved please call councils Senior Bushland Coordinator on 9843 0313.
Community Nursery
Bidjiwong Community Nursery is managed by The Hills Shire Council. It is a place where volunteers can learn about native flora of The Hills Shire. Participate in propagation and attend environmental workshops.
Bidjiwong Community Nursery produces native plants for Councils revegetation projects, the Shire's Parks and Reserves, Citizenship and residential give aways.
The Community nursery is open to the public every Saturday between 9am and 1pm.
Permiculture garden
Within the community nursery compound we have a community garden. The purpose of this garden is to grow a variety of herbs and vegetables and allowing them to go to seed. The seed is then distributed throughout the seed savers network and the permiculture groups throughout Sydney. We also run different workshops on the fourth Saturday of each month. Some of these include worm farming, soils, seed cleaning and storage, and composting. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Workshops
Council runs a variety of workshops for those interested in bushcare and the environment.
Environmental activities
Council's environmental team also runs different events in which volunteers can get involved in. These include Stream watch, wildlife monitoring and the environment centre at Annangrove park.
Who can become involved in Bushcare?
Bushcare is open to all age groups. Children under the age of 15 need to be supervised by a guardian. To become involved choose a group that you would like to attend, download the application form below and send it into the bushcare office: P.O. Box 75 CASTLE HILL NSW 1765 or just turn up to the site of your choice with the form. All group sites have a site supervisor to report to, where they will carry out an on site induction.
Corporate groups and other groups
We encourage other large groups to get together for a day and volunteer, this can be on the weekend or during the week. For businesses, churches, scout or guide groups or even sporting clubs it is a great opportunity to come together as a team, work outside and try something completely different.
There are many reasons to become involved in bushcare these involve:
- Meeting like minded people within the community
- A sense of personal achievement
- Improve the environment in which we all live
- Improving property values and reducing fire risk
- Providing a better habitat for wildlife
Bushcare Registration Form (128.06kB)
Where does Bushcare occur in this Shire?
The current bushcare groups are:
- Northmead Reserve
- Winton Avenue Excelsior Reserve
- Randel Crescent Excelsior Reserve
- Sophia Doyle Reserve
- Iron Bark Ridge
- Saw Mill Creek Excelsior Reserve
- Christmas Bush Creek Excelsior Reserve
- Seville Reserve
- Richard Webb Reserve
- Speers Road Excelsior Reserve
- Annangrove Park
- Hunts Creek Reserve
- Mill Drive Excelsior Reserve
- Ellerman Park
- Connelly Way Cattai Creek Conservation Area
- Bell Bird Creek George Thornton Reserve
- Currawong Reserve
- Gollan Reserve
- Eric Mobbs Reserve
- Greenup Park
- Fullers Road Reserve
- Castle Hill Heritage Park
- O'regan Reserve
- Bernie Mullane Reserve
- Crescent Reach
- PORT Excelsior Reserve
- Maria Iori
Click here for more site information.
Can I Work on Private Property?
Landcare
Landcare groups are formed by people with a common concern about the quality of land and water in their local area. Landcare groups operate on private lands such as farms and schools. The Peri–Urban Coordinator is responsible for the area from Gosford to Picton and works within the confines of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment. The coordinator works with Landcare groups on private and crown lands.
Contact: Urban Landcare Coordinator
Web: www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au
Or
Contact: Sydney Metropolitan Management Authority - www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au
Cumberland State Forest Bushcare and Rangers
Cumberland State forest runs a number of environmental programs such as bush regeneration, guided walks, forest maintenance and wildlife research. By participating in these programs you will learn about state forest management practices.
Cumberland bush regeneration group undertake bushcare activities which include weed control, seed collecting, tree planting and forest maintenance. Contact the Cumberland State forest on 9871 3377 or 9872 0561.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Contact details: Cumberland North area Office P.O. Box 4070 Pitt Town NSW 2756
National Parks in the Sydney region link www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/
Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority and Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority:
http://www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au/
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