Bushcare Brochure - Wollongong City Council
Bushcare Brochure - Wollongong City Council
Bushcare Brochure - Wollongong City Council
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<strong>Wollongong</strong>’s Natural Environment<br />
Superb<br />
Fairywren<br />
What can you get out of volunteering?<br />
<strong>Wollongong</strong>’s natural environment is rich, unique<br />
and diverse. It provides a valuable resource for local<br />
residents and visitors alike. Our natural environment is<br />
important for stabilising soil, improving water quality<br />
and providing valuable habitats for our native wildlife. In<br />
addition, natural areas are important for their beauty,<br />
and the educational and recreational opportunities they<br />
provide. <strong>Wollongong</strong>’s rich biodiversity can be attributed<br />
to diverse natural areas spread from the escarpment to<br />
the sea, including wetlands, creeks and water courses,<br />
coastal sand dunes, bushland and rainforest.<br />
Many of our bushland areas have been reduced in<br />
area and are therefore easily threatened by:<br />
• Garden plant escapees<br />
• Dumping of rubbish<br />
• Weed invasion<br />
• Off-leash domestic pets and introduced animals in<br />
bushland<br />
• Excessive nutrients from stormwater runoff<br />
• Inappropriate recreational use and vandalism<br />
• Encroachment of backyards and gardens into<br />
bushland reserves.<br />
These threats can reduce the survival of local native<br />
wildlife, and the attractiveness of our natural areas.<br />
WOLLONGONG HAS RICH, UNIQUE<br />
AND DIVERSE NATURAL AREAS<br />
Eastern<br />
Blue-tongued<br />
Lizard<br />
What is <strong>Bushcare</strong>?<br />
Banksia<br />
integrifolia<br />
<strong>Bushcare</strong> is a <strong>Wollongong</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> program<br />
that aims to encourage and support community<br />
participation in the conservation and restoration of<br />
natural areas on community land.<br />
VOLUNTEERS WORK TO RESTORE<br />
NATURAL AREAS ON COMMUNITY LAND<br />
USING RESTORATION PRINCIPLES<br />
<strong>Wollongong</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> supports volunteers by<br />
providing resources, technical support and training.<br />
<strong>Bushcare</strong> volunteers usually meet for about three<br />
hours each month, however the amount of time<br />
you commit to is entirely up to you.<br />
The <strong>Bushcare</strong> program is integral in the management<br />
of natural areas in <strong>Wollongong</strong>, and works closely<br />
with our bushfire, pest species and contracted bush<br />
restoration teams.<br />
Together with the work carried out by <strong>Council</strong> and<br />
contracted bush regenerators, volunteers are making<br />
a significant contribution to the conservation and<br />
restoration of our valuable natural areas.<br />
Volunteering in <strong>Bushcare</strong> can assist with a range<br />
of health, social and career opportunities through:<br />
• Networking and meeting enthusiastic people in<br />
a community conservation program<br />
• Fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors<br />
• Satisfaction in rescuing native plants from weeds<br />
• Learning skills in native plant identification, weed<br />
control techniques, conservation and bushland<br />
management<br />
• Application of knowledge gained in the field by being<br />
involved in assessing and planning future works<br />
• Attending workshops and social gatherings<br />
• Satisfaction of seeing wildlife return<br />
• Pleasure in restoring and conserving your local<br />
natural area.<br />
Green<br />
Tree<br />
Frog<br />
YOU CAN HELP MAKE A<br />
DIFFERENCE BY GETTING<br />
INVOLVED IN BUSHCARE!<br />
Dianella<br />
caerulea