BUSHCARE CALENDAROctober14 Spotlighting in the Royal17 Wattamolla to Marley28 Spotlighting in the Royal14,15,28 Nursery Propagation30 Cape Bailey Coast Walk31 Spring Gathering

November4 Spotlighting in the Royal11,19,25 Nursery Propagation12, Lucas Heights Conservation Area

Nature Walk14 Introduction to Bush Regeneration

(New one day course)18 Lady Carrington Drive, Nature Walk25 Frogs of the Kurnell Peninsula

Walk: Spotlighting

December6 SSC Bushcare Xmas BBQ8 Kayaking on the Woronora9 Nursery Propagation (last session

for the year)25 Xmas Day.

BUSHCARE BULLETINBUSHCARE VOLUNTEERS KEEPING IN TOUCH October 2015 - Issue 33

BUSHCARE UPDATEby Kevin SeymourThis year is flying by! Before you know it …tinsel time.Bushcare is already planning for the opportunity to pass on our appreciation for the great contributions of our volunteers throughout the year with the Christmas BBQ, which will this year take place on Sunday 6 December at Old School Park, Gymea Bay Road, Gymea Bay. It will be a good opportunity to catch up in a relaxed atmosphere and reflect on the achievements of this year.Another key date to remember is the Spring Gathering to be held 31 October at Hazelhurst Gallery. Our last gathering in autumn was one that really got people talking. The presenters were excellent and many people regretted not booking in. For the spring event we again have quality speakers. Dr Cameron Webb will be presenting on his research into the mosquito borne disease Ross River Fever and its unexpected connection with Macropods. Inside this edition of the Bulletin is a teaser. If you want the whole story – see you at Hazelhurst.

INTRODUCING THE NEW BOSSI’d like to give a big Bushcare welcome to the new Bushland Coordinator, Jonathan Watson who has recently joined us from another area of Council. So far, Jonathan has settled in well. He’s even shown a healthy desire to get out and about to meet the members of the Bushcare family. Jonathan’s background is largely in landscaping but he comes to us with a good knowledge of bush regeneration practices and urban issues thanks to a stint in the industry some years ago. I have no doubt that “Jono” will enjoy his new tenure.

NOXIOUS WEEDS IN SUTHERLAND SHIREA fabulous new guide, to identifying and controlling the noxious weeds found in urban and bushland areas throughout the Sutherland Shire has been produced by the good people of council’s Pest Species Unit and Communications Department. This excellent and informative guide is a must for those wishing to know more about the long term strategy for noxious weed control and simple methods for treatment. Free copies are available from Sutherland Shire Council’s Pest Species Unit located at Council’s Nursery, 345 The Boulevarde, Gymea or phone 9524 5672 to find out other pick up locations.

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SURREY PLACE BUSHCARE NEEDS YOU!by Bill HowseNestled away at the back of Kareela, tucked in behind houses, is a small, almost land locked Bushcare site called Surrey Place Bushland Reserve. The entrance to the site is a small dirt track between two houses and you'd easily miss it if you blinked. Although this patch of bush suffers from the usual issues of weed invasion and encroachment that affect so many of our small urban reserves it’s bushland is remarkably diverse nonetheless.In the last couple of years a small but dedicated group

have been chipping away at a seemingly never ending supply of Asparagus fern and Privets, but the regeneration that follows has been astounding which is most encouraging. This year we are approaching a major front, preparing to launch an assault on all weeds in our path in an effort to join up with another Bushcare site nearby.

The group meets on the 1st Tuesday afternoon each month from 1pm. If you’d like to help out drop us a line at 9524 5672.

FROGSTOMP!by Chad Berenek“The Gumnut Naturalist” is a website dedicated to wildlife and nature and is for anyone interested in wild Australia, from enthusiasts, ecologists, environmental students, photographers and animal lovers. With the ever increasing demands of work and family, people don’t often get to explore the unique nature of Australia. This website aims to bring the wonders found in our local bush to the forefront. There are monthly blog posts of wilderness expeditions and adventures undertaken by the author, as well as quick guides to specific animals and plants. The facebook page features regular posts on the latest wildlife news, science, wildlife photography, and includes a focus species of the week. Volunteer opportunities from around Australia for any keen environmental or biology student can also be found via the facebook pageFuture projects from the Gumnut Naturalist will include detailed habitat guides for attracting wildlife to the backyard. David Attenborough himself highlighted that backyard habitats will be the future of conservation. These guides will focus specifically on the Sutherland Shire region; however the basic principles likely apply to all backyards in any urban area. and in the future there

First up is a backyard guide for frogs which can be accessed from the website. This guide encourages residents to consider creating a wildlife corridor in their backyard to aid frog conservation. Learn how to build a garden and pond to accommodate most frogs or to target a specific species. Access detailed information of each frog species found in the Sutherland Shire including a quick guide to identification, where they are found, the kind of habitat they prefer as well as specific plant species you can add to your garden which will help make your backyard more suitable. A new fact sheet will be added every week untill all frogs within the Sutherland Shire are accounted for.For further information or to share your wildlife photos on the website and facebook page don’t hesitate to inquire email gumnutnaturalist@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/gumnutnaturalistwww.gumnutnaturalist.com

Photo: Chad Berenek

MOSQUITOES AND MACROPODSby Dr Cameron Webb They may be annoying and sometimes a threat to our health, but most mosquitoes are Australian native animals that are a key component of our local wetlands. There are over 60 different mosquito species found across the Sydney metropolitan region. Some are rarely encountered but others can be found in exceptional abundance when environmental conditions are right. Dr Cameron Webb is a mosquito researcher with the University of Sydney and NSW Health pathology and has been studying the mosquitoes and the pathogens they carry along the Georges River for many years. Mosquitoes associated with estuarine wetlands pose the biggest problems as they’re a severe nuisance biting pest but they can also carry Ross River virus. 2015 has seen the biggest outbreak of Ross River virus along the east coast of Australia in 30 years but predicting these outbreaks is made difficult because as well as rain, temperature and tides, outbreaks rely on kangaroos and wallabies. These macropods don’t just provide a blood meal for mosquitoes but also a reservoir of mosquito-borne pathogens, particularly Ross River virus. Beyond the swamps, there are also pest mosquitoes in our

www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au Sutherland Shire Council l BUSHCARE NEWSLETTER 3

suburbs. These mosquitoes have given up on bushland habitats and are now moving into water-holding containers around the home. Dr Webb’s will give insight into the fascinating mosquitoes found in southern Sydney but will also include some tips on beating the bite of mosquitoes this summer.Dr Cameron Webb will present at the Bushcare Spring Gathering 31 October.

PEST SPECIES UNIT OBTAINS GRANT FUNDING FROM NSW DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIESSutherland Shire Council’s Pest Species Unit has received grant funding from NSW Department of Primary Industries - Crown Lands and Sydney Coastal Council Group Inc. as part of the Sydney’s Salty Communities to undertaken pest animal and noxious weed control at numerous sites throughout the Shire. The grants will be utilised in undertaking vertebrate Pest Management (Cane Toads, Foxes and Rabbits) and noxious/environmental weed control as part of SSC Bushland Management programs to protect Endangered Ecological Communities and threatened species.Residents may also participate in the Foxscan program as part of these grants. Go to: www.foxscan.org.au/sydneysouth to report sightings of Foxes in the Sutherland Shire area.Control programs will be implemented on Council and Crown Land Reserves at Waterfall, Woronora River, Sutherland, Yarrawarrah, Engadine, Loftus, Heathcote, Lucas Heights, Kurnell, Taren Point and Cronulla. For further information please contact SSC Pest Species unit on 95245672.

PROSTANTHERA DENSA (VILLOUS MINT BUSH) IN THE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK.by Dan ClarkeThe Sutherland branch of the Australian Plants Society has volunteered their services to undertake target survey and monitoring of the listed threatened plant species Prostanthera densa (Villous Mint Bush) in the Royal National Park. This activity forms one voluntary

contribution of APS towards the NSW Save Our Species Program, a government initiative aimed at conserving the existence of threatened species in the wild for the next 100 years.A group of Sutherland members headed down to the target population of P. densa at Marley in the Royal in late June 2015. I am happy to report that our survey was a success. We tagged and recorded data for 27 plants of P. densa in sandstone heath vegetation, about 400 m upslope from Marley Beach. This population is somewhat disjunct to that of Bass and Flinders Point where plants have been preserved and propagated by Council as part of bushcare efforts.Most recorded plants were in flower and most appeared healthy, with little to no damage from browsing Rusa Deer evident. We have not yet covered the entire area, with earlier herbarium collections made in 2005 and 2008 located further north-west from our recorded patch. Therefore, more surveys will be planned for the coming months, (likely arranged through email between members).A progress report has been drafted and edited in-house and is available on the Conservation webpages on both the Sutherland and NSW APS websites (http://sutherland.austplants.com.au/)A special thanks goes to APS Sutherland members John Arney, Rhonda Daniels, Ian Hill, Paul Rendell, and Peter Shelton (all of who are likely bushcare members) who conducted the monitoring with me, as well as NPWS staff member Patsy Nagle for assisting with logistics and finding a few extra plants for us on the day.The activity was a great example of ‘citizen-science’ and I encourage any bushcare volunteer who is interested in having a go at threatened species monitoring, to get in contact with me for the next survey later this year (not yet planned in total).In addition, my background research of online databases for previous records of P. densa in the Royal, has unearthed a somewhat forgotten collection made in the 1970s in a different location and habitat. This record also requires further investigation on our part and is likely to be associated with the Couranga track. I am now on an investigation of searching, mapping and eliminating areas.If you are interested in accompanying us on our next survey, you are more than welcome to contact me at conservation@austplants.com.au.

Prostanthera densa (Villous Mint Bush)

4 BUSHCARE NEWSLETTER l Sutherland Shire Council www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au

BOTANY BAY BUSY BEESBotany Bay Busy Bees are based at Kurnell. They meet 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at the Kamay Botany Bay National Park Visitor Centre from 9am til 12pm. Activities are generally graded medium difficulty. Please contact Ranger Mishy Mckensy 9668 2005 the day prior to confirm the program. Morning tea and great company are provided. Please wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and a hat.

THE FRAY

AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY (SUTHERLAND GROUP)

Visit Joseph Banks reserve and admire the current crop of rock orchids (dendrobium speciosum) currently in full flower. Stay around on Thursday 1 October or Sunday 4 October and help out with working bees from 9.00am with Jason Salmon and the bushcare group on the Thursday or from 9.30am on the Sunday, with the Sutherland APS group.If you’d like to learn more about orchids, then why not come along to hear club local expert Margaret Bradhurst talk on orchids at our meeting on Wednesday evening 21 October from 7:45pm at the Gymea Community Centre.There will be no meeting in November due to the biennial ANPSA conference in Canberra this year.Our Xmas party will be at the Joseph Banks Reserve on Sunday afternoon, 29 November and all bushcare people would be very welcome to join us.For more information, bookings etc, please call Ralph Cartwright on 02 9548 1074, via email at ralphc@spin.net.au or check our website http://sutherland.

NATIVE PLANT PROFILE by Lloyd HedgesPodocarpus spinulosus is a member of the ancient conifer family of Gondwanan heritage that has been largely displaced by the flowering plants as Australia drifted north.P. spinulosus is an understorey plant and its lack of colourful flowers result in it often not being noticed.It is normally a low scrambling plant of southern facing hillsides, though at the bottom of shady valleys it can get to 2metres.The leaves are narrow, linear and rigid with an acute point. They are shiny, dark green above and lighter underneath.The male and female cones are on separate plants (dioecious).The female plants are distinguished when the stem

becomes swollen, dark blue and fruit like behind the the globular seeds. Fully ripe this stem is quite sweet to the taste but the contents have a slimy consistency which is quite off putting.

VALE BILL DELLERby Brad Van LuytI'm sad to report the passing of one of our friends, Bill Deller, who died Thursday 17SEP2015.Bill was a volunteer with me at Parc Menai and one of the originals from when the group started way back in the mid 90s. I have known Bill for over 15 years. He was quite the story teller. A native of Bundaberg, Bill would often tell the unusual tale of when the river caught fire, after a spill from the rum distillery caught alight. Fire featured again when he told me about how he helped with the clean-up after the big fires of 1994, pouring endless buckets of water down smoking holes in the reserve until a fiery said that it was probably burning on old root 20m underground and that his efforts, though admirable, were probably wasted (like trying to control Cobblers Pegs, Ehrharta...?). Bill would also tell the story about how, as a kid, he used to get sent out the back to pull out the Paddy's Lucerne as a form of punishment. I was sorry to tell Bill that his punishment had yet to finish as we had plenty of it at Menai. I'll miss Bill and his stories. Bill was a good man and great volunteer. He rarely missed a work day (except when crook or travelling the globe with wife and fellow volunteer Mel) and was

justifiably proud of the fact that he had helped stop some of the trees being removed from Parc Menai when it was being "developed"(?) over twenty years ago. Climbing up those trees we now have Clematis aristada, also known as "old man's beard". We have a lot of it at Menai and I would joke with him about it and his beard. When the flowers have finished and the Clematis is covered in that flowing white beard I'll think of Bill

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MENAI WILDFLOWER GROUPOur group recently had a very enjoyable talk and workshop by Phil Trickett on grafting cuttings. So, due to the interest by our members, we have continued this type of propagation at our nursery at Illawong. Our propagation days are on the 3rd Saturday of every month and held at the Illawong RFS native garden on Old Illawarra Road from 1pm. APS members and visitors are very welcome and prior propagation experience is not required. Afterwards, you can stroll through our native garden which is now bursting into colour.Owing to the success of our photographic competition last year we are doing it all again this year. The winners will have their photos included in our 2016 calendar. The subject of the photos should include local native plants, wildlife and landscapes – so get practising now. A max of 5 entries per person should be provided on a USB flash drive to a MWG committee member at the 14 October meeting or 17 October propagation workshop, or emailed to jay.shaz@hotmail.com (max 3mb) or posted to Menai Wildflower Group, PO Box 3104, Bangor, NSW 2234. The closing date is 17 October 2015.Our monthly talks will be about Larapinta on 14 October and the flora & archaeology of the Quarantine

THE PORT HACKING WILDFLOWER GROUPThe Port Hacking Wildflower Group meets at 8pm on the second Friday of every month, February to November at the Community Centre, Flora Street, Sutherland. Visitors and new members are always very welcome.We have a guest speaker every meeting, followed by plant identification and supper. Although the Group’s focus is on wildflowers of the local area, our speakers cover a wide range of interesting topics. For more information please contact Glen Harvey on 0422 966 010 (after hours). ROYAL NATIONAL

PARK (FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL) Friends of the Royal are currently busy with a host of spring activity with track trimming teams operating on the Coast Track, as well as bush regeneration teams targeting Weeds of National Significance (WONS) and other invasive species, stream watch, mountain-bike trail stabilisation, Friends of Royal meetings and events, and some post-fire rehabilitation on Hacking River sites.For all events within the Friends of RNP program, bookings are a must. So please, book at least 24hrs before the event.

A few key dates to remember: Bush Regeneration days:• Bonnie Vale: 1 & 31 October • East Heathcote: 22 October, 26 November &17 December• Marley Head Planting: 5 & 14 November• Yeramba Lagoon: 12 October, 9 November & 14 DecemberStreamwatch: 18 & 19 December RNP Nursery: 3 DecemberRoyal Coast Track Charity Walk 11 October

All activities are FREE and most run from 9am-12.30pm. All need to be pre-booked through the Royal National Park office on 9542 0632 to arrange tools, tasks, transport, supervision and morning tea. New volunteers need to be registered and receive training that is offered each quarter. Email queries to be directed to Ranger Patsy Ross on patricia.ross@environment.nsw.gov.au

Station at North Head on 11 November. 9 December will be our Xmas social evening at 6pm.Don’t forget to visit our facebook page - it is regularly updated with great photos by some of our members.Website: www.menaiwildflower.austplants.com.auEmail: menaiwildflower@austplants.com.au

austplants.com.au/ for our monthly newsletter and meeting details. Our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/APS.Sutherland has lots of plant photos.

6 BUSHCARE NEWSLETTER l Sutherland Shire Council www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au

BUSHCARE WORKDAYS

Workdays can be cancelled at short notice. (B) etc after the time denotes the first initial of the Bushcare Officer responsi-ble for the group. See page 8 for contact detail.1ST SATURDAYMill Creek, Menai 8:00am (J)Gunnamatta Park 8.30am (Bill) Wanda Beach, Cronulla 8.30am (S)Whitton Street, Heathcote 8:30am (B)Throsby Close, Barden Ridge 10.30am (J)Columbine Close, Loftus 1:00pm (B) Oyster Creek Gully, Jannali 1.00pm (J)Sesquicentenary Pk, Heathcote 1.00am (S)Tea Tree Place, Kirrawee 1.00pm (Bill)

2ND SATURDAYFremantle Place, Yarrawarrah 8.00am (B)Lucas Heights Conservation Area, 8.00am (K)Forbes Creek, Woronora 8:30am (Bill)Freya Street, Kareela 8.30am (S)Yarra Vista Court, Yarrawarrah 1.00pm (B)Drysdale Place Res., Kareela 1:00pm(Bill)Tradewinds Pl/Struen Marie, Kareela,

1.00pm (S)

3RD SATURDAYBurraneer Park, Caringbah 8.30 am (J)Corinth Road, Heathcote 8.30am (B)Hall Drive, Menai 9.00am (S)Alcheringa Reserve, Miranda 1.00pm (S)Beauford Park, Caringbah 1.00pm (J)Bimbai/Bangaroo, Bangor, 1.00pm (B) altPrestons Gully, Engadine 1.00pm (B) alt

4TH SATURDAYBottle Creek, Heathcote 8.00am (B)Akuna Avenue Oval, Bangor 8.30am (S)Maandowie Reserve, Loftus 8:30am (Bill)The Esplanade, Cronulla Point 8.30am (J)Gooyong Reserve, Bangor 12.30pm (S)Ninth Avenue North, Loftus 1.00pm (B)Crescent Creek, Woronora 1.00pm (Bill)Various reserves, Maianbar 1.30pm (J)

1ST SUNDAYCarina Bay, Como 8:00am (J), Bass & Flinders Point, Cronulla 8.30am (Bill)Myra Creek, Loftus 8.30am (B)Burnum Burnum Sanct., Jannali 9.00am (D)Joseph Banks Native Plant Reserve 9.30am (J)Banksia Res, Engadine 1.00pm (D)John McKinn Park, Cronulla 1.00pm (Bill)The Esplanade, Sylvania 1:00pm (J)Upper Forbes Creek, Engadine 1:00pm (B)

2ND SUNDAYCaravan Head Res., Oyster Bay 8:30am (B)Fernleigh Road Res, Caringbah 9:00am (Bill)Kareena Park, Caringbah 9.00 (D)Forbes Creek South, Engadine 1:00pm (B)Ingrid Rd/Anitra Reserve, Kareela 1.00pm (D)Kareela Reserve, Kareela 1.00pm (Bill)

3RD SUNDAYPrince Edward Park, Woronora 8:00am (Bill)Hakea Street, Yarrawarrah, 8.30am (B)Honeysuckle Reserve, Jannali 8:30am (J)Paruna Reserve, Como West 9.00am (D)Grays Point Reserve 12.30pm (J)Eurabalong Reserve, Burraneer 1.00pm (Bill)Bundeena Res, Bundeena 1.00pm (D)Victory Reserve, Engadine 1:00pm (B)

4TH SUNDAYDarook Park, Cronulla 8.30am (Bill)The Glen Reserve, Bonnet Bay 8:30am (D)Savilles Creek, Kirrawee 8.30am (J)Marina Crescent, Gymea Bay 12:30pm (J)Riverhaven Res., Oyster Bay, 1.00pm (D)Rutherford Reserve, Burraneer, 1.00pm (Bill)

1ST MONDAYBatavia Place, Illawong 9.00am (D)Taren Point Shorebird 9.00am (Bill)

2ND MONDAYDelta St, Sutherland 9.00am (Bill)Koolangarra Res, Bonnet Bay 8.30am (D

3RD MONDAYPort Hacking Rd Res., Sylvania 9.00am (D)Australia Rd, Barden Ridge 9.00am (Bill)

4TH MONDAYLilli Pilli Pt Baths Res, Lilli Pilli 8.30am (Bill)Young Street Reserve, Sylvania 9.00am (D)

1ST TUESDAYDunoon Place Reserve, Bangor 9.00.am (Bill)Menai Conservation Park, Menai 9.00am (S)Surrey Place, Kirrawee 1pm ( Bill)

2ND TUESDAYLilli Pilli Point Reserve 9am (Bill)Hungry Point Res, Cronulla 12.30pm (S)

3RD TUESDAYForest Grove Drive, Menai 9.00am (S)Kareena Park, Caringbah 9:00am (Bill)Corea Steet Reserve, Sylvania 1.00pm (S)Darook Park Sth, Cronulla 1.00pm (Bill)

4TH TUESDAYCabbage Tree Point, Bundeena 9.00am (BillLilli Pilli Point Reserve 9.00am (S))Loftus St, Bundeena 12.30pm

1ST WEDNESDAYBottle Creek, Heathcote 8.30am (B)Windy Point, Cronulla 8.30am (S)Bundeena Reserve, Bundeena 9.00am (J)Prices Reserve South, Woronora 9.00am (Bill)Simpson Rd, Bundeena 11.30am (J)Dunwell Avenue Reserve, Loftus 1.00pm (B)

2ND WEDNESDAYCabbage Tree Point, Bundeena 9.00am (B)Constables Point, Maianbar 9.00am (J)Green Point Rd Res, Oyster Bay 9.00am (S)Yowie Bay Old Baths Reserve 9.00am (Bill)Gooyong Reserve, Bangor 1.00pm (Bill)

3RD WEDNESDAYCroston Rd, Engadine 9.00am (B)Gooyong Riverside Res, Woronora

9.00am (Bill)ANSTO, Lucas Heights 12.00pm (J) Dunwell Avenue, Loftus 1.00pm (B)Albert Delardes Reserve, Illawong 1.00pm (S)

4TH WEDNESDAYForest & Corella Roads, Kirrawee 9.00am (B)Newcombe Street, Maianbar 9.00am (J)Wattlebird Reserve, Caringbah 9:00am (BillWonga Rd Res. Yowie Bay 1.00pm (Bill)

1ST THURSDAYKareela Golf Course 7.00am (J)Joseph Banks Native Plant Res. 9.00am (J)Louden Avenue, Illawong 9.00am (B)

2ND THURSDAYKareela Golf Course 7.00am (J)Parc Menai 8.30am (B)

3RD THURSDAYKareela Golf Course 7.00am (J)Eighth Avenue, Loftus 8:30am (B)Savilles Creek Reserve, Kirrawee 9.00am (J)

4TH THURSDAYKareela Golf Course 7.00am (J)

1ST FRIDAYCoonong Creek Reserve, Gymea 8:30am (J)Ewey Creek, Miranda 8.30am (B)

2ND FRIDAYNinth Avenue Reserve, Loftus 9.00am (B)

3RD FRIDAYFarrer Place, Oyster Bay 8.00am (B)Kyogle Place, Grays Point 8.30am (J)Gunnamatta Foreshore, Cronulla 1pm (J)

4TH FRIDAYKiora Road South, Yowie Bay 8:00am (B)Shiprock Reserve, Lilli Pilli 9.00am (J)

Spot lighting: Frogs of Kurnell.

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COUNCIL ACTIVITY

Following is a list of upcoming Bushcare activities. Booking are essential for all activities, phone 9524 5672. NOTE: For events in National Parks, park entry fee applies.

BUSHCARE SPRING GATHERINGSaturday 31 October Location: Hazelhurst Gallery, theatre: 10am – 2pm This event is certainly one of the high-lights of the Bushcare calendar and the response to our speakers last autumn was terrific. So don’t miss this day of talks, catching up with friends and having your say. The ‘Gathering’ will finish with a meeting and forum where an invitation of agenda items for discussion is most welcome. Booking are essential for this event, so be quick!

SSC BUSHCARE XMAS BBQ Sunday 6 DecemberThe SSC Bushcare Xmas BBQ. This year the BBQ will be held at Old School Park, Gymea Bay Time: 12 pm – 4pm Where: Old School Park, Gymea Bay Road, Gymea BayParking: on street parking area adjacent to reserve and adjacent streets.Please ensure you book yourself in for this event for catering purposes.

GUIDED KAYAK TOUR ON THE WORONORATuesday 8 DecemberWoronora River, 9.00am - 12.00pmA guided tour with a difference. If your idea of paddling up a river looking at the natural and cultural heritage of the Sutherland Shire sounds like a great idea, this activity is for you. All participants are to be physically fit, over the age 16 and be a confident swimmer to participate in this fantastic event.

PLEASE NOTE THAT

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

FOR ALL ACTIVITIES.

CALL 9524 5672

BUSH & GUIDED NATURE WALKS

SPOT LIGHTING IN THE ROYAL Wednesday 14 October Wednesday 28 OctoberWednesday 4 November7.30 pm – 9.30pmWhat goes bump in the night? Come along and help spot the wildlife that go to work when we go to bed. Be sure to book early as this event fills quickly. BYO torches please and all children under the age of 16 are to be accompanied by an adult.

WATTAMOLLA TO MARLEY (return) Saturday 17 October 8am- 3pmFor this walk meet at the Wattamolla Beach car park nearest the creek for a walk along the Royal National Park coast with noted bird expert Steve Anyon-Smith. There should be lots of birds including albatross and maybe even a whale or two. Bring morning tea, lunch and water.

CAPE BAILY COAST WALK Friday 30 October: 9am – 12.30pmThis spectacular guided coastal 8km walk at Kamay-Botany Bay National Park will take you around sand dunes, heath lands and hanging swamps. You'll see great cliff top views and the Cape Baily Lighthouse. Bring morning tea, lunch and water.

A WALK IN THE WILD WEST: LUCAS HEIGHTS CONSERVATION AREAThursday 12 November 8.30am - 12.30pm Would you like to visit a rarely seen corner of the Sutherland Shire; where koalas, wallabies, kangaroos and an array of birdlife still thrive? This 5km loop trail walk will take you through a genuinely wild landscape, the Lucas Heights Conservation Area. Come join us? The walk is graded medium, and of course, long, with a few steep inclines. Bring all your walking supplies: morning tea, and water.

LADY CARRINGTON DRIVE WALK Wednesday 18 November,9am – 1.30pmMeeting at the beginning Lady Carrington Drive (Audley end). Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Lady Carrington walk for a guided walk and a spot of bird watching in the Royal National Park. Bring morning tea, lunch and water. Note National Parks parking fees apply.

SPOT LIGHTING: FROGS OF THE KURNELL PENINSULA WALK Wednesday 25 November, 8 pm – 9.30pm Join world renowned Frog expert Dr Matt Greenlees from The University of Sydney for an enlightening walk around the Wanda Dune wetlands to illustrate the environmental protection works being undertaken by Sutherland Shire Council, private property owners and Greater Sydney Local Land Services. Limited spaces available so please book early. BYO torches and wear sturdy footwear. All children under the age of 16 are to be accompanied by an adult.

FREE COURSES

INTRODUCTION TO BUSH REGENERATION COURSE(New One Day Course)Saturday 14 November, 8.30am – 4pmThis new single day course consists of weed identification & bush regeneration techniques, perfect for anyone interested in Bushcare whether you volunteer or not. The morning session is at council’s nursery, 345 The Boulevarde, Gymea with a field trip in the afternoon. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirt and long trousers for the afternoon session.Morning tea will be provided.

BUSHCARE CONTACT DETAILS

PHONE9524 5672 and follow the promptsFAX 9526 6610EMAILbushcare@ssc.nsw.gov.auWEBwww.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au

JONATHON0434 327 755 pprice@ssc.nsw.gov.auBRADLEY0414 193 710 (Wed-Sun) bvanluyt@ssc.nsw.gov.auJASON0414 193 874 (Wed-Sun)jsalmon@ssc.nsw.gov.auDAYNA0414 193 712 (Sun-Mon) dmellor@ssc.nsw.gov.au

BILL0414 193 709 (Sat-Wed) whowse@ssc.nsw.gov.auSABRINA0414 193 873 (Tues, Wed, Sat) smthompson@ssc.nsw.gov.auKEVIN0414 194 824kseymour@ssc.nsw.gov.au

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AUSTRALIA

Bushcare Bulletin:October 2015

MIND YOUR MYCORRHIZASome of you extra keen Bushcare folk would have heard the word Mycorrhizal Fungi thrown about at various times, I certainly have. Last autumn had an excellent season of fruiting bodies emerging from the forest floor, many of these being mycorrhizal. So what does mycorrhizal mean? If you are well up on your classical Greek you would know that it is derived from the words for “mushroom” and “root”In plain English it means the fungal hyphae (an individual strand) of an underground mycelium (a whole bunch of hyphae) are in contact with plant roots, but without the fungus parasitizing the plant. It is an association that is common but by no means always mutually beneficial.In many cases there is a flow of nutrients between the two organisms but in some of the saprophytic orchids one organism benefits the most. Plants give the fungus carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis while obtaining inorganic nutrients and trace elements produced by the fungi breaking down organic matter. Approximately 10-30% of carbohydrates produced by plants go to feeding mycorrhizal fungi.Photosynthesising plants basically use the fungal hyphae as “extra roots” that can essentially delve deeper and wider into all sorts of microscopic nooks and crannies gathering nutrients as they go. This can be done with very little energy expenditure from the plant as it does not have to grow the roots itself.Many Australian plants form mycorrhizal associations. Indeed over 80% feel the need to fiddle with fungi. Interestingly many genera in the Proteaceae Family do not form mycorrhizas but have cluster roots to aid in nutrient uptake. Information source http://www.cpbr.gov.au/fungi/mycorrhiza.htm http://mycorrhizas.info/ozplants.html#dicot

Cortinarius archeri has a mycorrhizal relationship with Eucalyptus sp. The sporocarps (mushroom) are a vivid purple on emergence.