- This event has passed.
November 2024 Working bee
November 17, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Activity:
Tackling a ’new’ species threatening our patch.
Description:
Globally the threat of invasive weeds, animals, fungi, etc., is estimated to contribute to ~ 60% of all extinctions. In our patch of Country, the public land along the creek is under attack from many invasive species. Recently, South African Orchid, known scientifically as Disa bracteata, started to colonise the hilly piece of public land where we’re improving habitat for the endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly. So far, the weed orchid is uncommon and as a new, emerging weed, we still have a chance to prevent it becoming out of control at this location.
Today we’ll be conducting a search and destroy campaign across the site, looking for this weed. Here’s two photos of weed orchid plants dug out recently from the site. Along the way, we’ll also deal with any gorse plants that we find.
If you’d like to participate in mapping this or other weed infestations, take a look at this guide. You’ll need to install a free app. on your GPS equipped mobile phone and bring it along to the working bee. Our Environment Officer will give you the password and further instructions.
In May, we sowed seeds of Sweet Bursaria, wattles, hop-bush, everlasting daisies and Banksia. Many of these have germinated abundantly. Today we’ll be able to see what has survived a very dry October-November.
We’ll need stout tools, capable of digging down to 10 cm in soil that unless it rains beforehand, is likely to be very hard. Picks or heavy-duty knives are suitable.
Meet: here on the trail from Honeycomb Road for a 10:00 a.m. start. There’s plenty of parking space here at the north end of Honeycomb Road. It’s a 200 m walk from there to the meeting point. If you arrive late, we’ll be working somewhere near here.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m Sunday the 17th of November
Please bring: Your own drinking water and if you can, a suitable sharp pointed digging tool. We’ll supply the rest.
Wear: gardening/leather gloves, hat, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the weather.
We’ll finish up with light refreshments.
Hope to see you there!