www.dec.wa.gov.au

Off-road vehicle operation By Doug Giles

As a result of significant populationgrowth in Mundaring, an increasingamount of illegal and anti-socialbehaviour has been occurring inbushland. During a weekend inAugust 2008, a multi-agencyoperation was conducted in thegreater Mundaring area involving 27officers from the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation’s (DEC)Perth Hills District, Wildlife Branch andRegional Parks Unit as well as officersfrom the WA Police, WaterCorporation and Mundaring Shire.

Patrol teams were formed with at leasttwo vehicles and representatives fromeach agency. This enabled coordinatedenforcement of all appropriatelegislation. It avoided the problem ofan offender ‘getting off’ because theywere stopped by someone with noauthorisation (i.e. the ‘wrong’ agencyor land tenure jurisdiction).

Forty-five formal offences and 41cautions were made. Face-to-facecontact enabled information to bedisseminated and inter-agencycontacts to be developed. Mostimportantly, word-of-mouth andmedia reports are spreading the wordthat joint patrol operations arehappening and offenders can becharged. With positive feedback anda high impact on offenders, theagencies involved are looking forwardto future similar operations.

Positive action at BanksiaRoad Nature Reserve By Jo Tregonning

With the development of hobbyblocks and an influx of newresidents in 2004, my local reservewas suddenly being vandalised.

Issue 68

Summer 2008-2009Time of Birak and Bunuruin the Nyoongar calendar.

Urban Nature updatePage 2

Bushland Weedwatch:Cottonbush Page 3

Summer floweringplants Page 4

Rare sunmothPage 5

NatureMap onlinePage 5

What’s on Page 6

Learning and fundingopportunties

Page 7

Regional reports Page 8

Group profile: EllisBrook Valley Page 11

Resources Page 12

Bushland News is a quarterlynewsletter of Urban Nature, a

Department of Environment andConservation (DEC) program to

support community involvementin bushland conservation.

Education reduces illegal activities in bushland

bushlandnews

Illegal rubbish dumping – a frustrating issue for managers of many bushlandareas. Photo – Cliff Bliss

The management of bushland areas often involves reducing threatening activities such as rubbishdumping, the use of motor cycles and off-road vehicles, firewood cutting, horse riding, vandalism,shooting and camping. These illegal activities damage flora and fauna, introduce dieback and weeds,and impact on community safety and amenity. They are difficult and costly for land managers to policebut programs that aim to educate the public and change people’s behaviour can be very effective.

This included cutting trees forfirewood, horse riding, gates beingstolen, fences cut to gain access andkangaroos being shot.

I felt that most of these peopleprobably didn’t know how special thisBush Forever reserve was and why itneeded to be looked after – someeducation was needed. DEC and theShire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale werevery supportive and worked with meto write a brochure, which theyprinted. The brochure outlined whythe reserve is important, what damagewas being done and a list of localauthorised alternative horse ridingtrails. I did a letterbox drop over twoweeks and a DEC ranger visited thereserve on two weekends and talkedto people. Signs were installed atfirebreak access gates and the missinggate was replaced with fencing. It wasa fantastic success and vandalism ofthe reserve has been negligible sincethis action.

Keep Australia BeautifulCouncil (KABC WA) By Cliff Bliss

Illegal rubbish dumping withinbushland areas is not only unsightly,

but also damages vegetation andcan introduce weeds and create afire hazard. In 2007, KABCemployed two investigators for a 12-month pilot program to tackle illegaldumping. Areas most affectedappear to be those bordering Stateforest and new urban developments,so the Darling Scarp was chosen forthe program, which was completedin partnership with the EastMetropolitan Regional Council.Investigations, enforcement,education and training resulted in asignificant reduction in theincidences of illegal dumping andlasting relationships were establishedwith community groups, Stateagencies and local governments.

KABC has posters, postcards, signsand litter reporting pamphlets thatcan be used for a letter droparound illegal dumping areas.Dumping incidents can be reportedon 1300 766 541 if you have someway of identifying the culprit (carregistration, identifiable papers, eyewitnesses). If there is no means ofidentification then please contactyour local shire or DEC office.

bushlandnews Summer 2008-2009

Urban Nature office

David Mitchell 9423 2913Julia Cullity 9423 2925Kate Brown 9423 2905Karen Bettink 9423 2904Grazyna Paczkowska 9423 2914Rebecca Hayes 9423 2924

Department of Environment andConservation, Swan Region office7 Turner Avenue, Bentley WA 6102

PO Box 1167Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983

Fax 9423 2901Email urban.nature@dec.wa.gov.au

Current and archived issues of Bushland News are available atwww.dec.wa.gov.au/programs/urban-nature/bushland-news.html

Contacts

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© All material copyright. No part of the contents of the publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publishers.

The views and opinions expressed in the articles in Bushland News are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Urban Nature is very pleased that Julia Cullity is joining the team as the newCommunity Education Coordinator (Bushland Community Support). Yes a pretty longtitle, but we will think of a better, catchier title for Julia soon enough. Julia is alreadyknown to many Bushland News readers as she has worked with many groups involvedin bushland management, and is bringing her fantastic enthusiasm and impressive skillsto the team. With Julia’s guidance, Urban Nature looks forward to developing somenew and productive projects with bushland managers.

Urban Nature UPDATE By David Mitchell

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Autumn Bushland News contributionsshould be sent to Urban Nature byThursday 26 February 2009.

Compiled and edited by Jo Tregonning.

Autumn Bushland News

Managing Weeds in Bushland course

Rapid assessments ofbushland – help needed

DEC Swan Region Ecologist Geoff Barrett hasstarted a project to investigate methods torapidly assess whether bushland reserves arefunctioning ecologically. Ecological function isa key component of biodiversity and tends tobe overlooked because of the high costsassociated with the usual measures ofwhether a site is healthy and functioningwell. Geoff is investigating the use of easy,but repeatable measures such as weedinvasion and bird and ant activity to giveestimates of ecosystem health and function.

Geoff is currently trialling several of thesemethods and is keen to get feedback fromthe community at this early stage in theproject. If anyone can help by testing someof the rapid assessment methods in theirlocal reserve, it would be greatly appreciated.Please contact Geoff on 9423 2907.

The Urban Nature ‘Managing Weedsin Bushland’ course is a five-daynationally accredited course designedfor operational staff andconservation officers involved inbushland restoration. The course wasagain held at Busselton and some ofthe highlights were field trips andpractical sessions hosted by DEC stafffrom the South West Region. As wellas a series of site visits, participantsspent an afternoon mappingVictorian tea-tree invading coastalvegetation around Ellensbrook, and a morning spent monitoringherbicide trials on Gladiolusundulatus in clay-based wetlands atFish Road Nature Reserve.

Nature Conservation Muster

This year the annual DEC Swan Region ‘Nature Conservation Muster’ focused on thesouthern part of the Swan Coastal District and the Marine Conservation program. Themuster provided an opportunity for Urban Nature staff to learn more about other aspects ofthe region’s work, including marine conservation and management, while also providingthe chance for other Swan Region staff to see the Euphorbia terracina demonstration site atPaganoni Swamp.

Andrew Webb (Nature Conservation Officer SouthWest Region) and Micheal Tichbourne (communityvolunteer) show participants successful lovegrasscontrol and bushland restoration work along CapelRailway line. Photo – Kate Brown

DEC officers discuss management of the eastern shore of Peel Estuary as part of the SwanRegion Nature Conservation Muster. Photo – David Mitchell

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BUSHLAND WEEDWATCH:

By Rebecca Hayes

Narrowleaf cottonbush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus)

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Narrowleaf cottonbush is native to southern Africa, the Mediterraneanand Arabia and was introduced as a garden plant to Australia in theearly days of settlement. By 1894 it was recorded as naturalised in allnew colonies in Australia, including Perth. It is now a significant threatto bushland and wetlands from Gingin to Esperance.

Narrowleaf cottonbush is an erect slendershrub growing one to two metres high,with dull green, narrow, opposite leaves,five to 12.5 centimetres long by six to 18millimetres wide tapering to a point. Thename Gomphocarpus is a combination ofthe Greek Gomphos, meaning ‘club’, andkarpos, meaning ‘fruit’. The club-likebladder fruits are the most distinctivefeature of narrowleaf cottonbush. Theyare irregularly egg-shaped, six centimetreslong by two to 2.5 centimetres wide,tapering to a narrow beak and covered inlong soft bristles to one centimetre long.

Plants flower after two years during thewarmer months of the year. The white orcreamy flowers occur in drooping umbelsof three to 10 flowers in the leaf axils.They are shortly tubular with five fringedwaxy lobes.

The plant produces copious amounts ofseeds annually, which are readily dispersedby wind and water. These can germinateat any time of the year, with obviouspeaks during spring and autumn.Seedlings grow rapidly and can resprout

within a few weeks of germinationfrom the root or crown if aerialgrowth is injured. Narrowleafcottonbush is also able to send uproot suckers and has allelopathicqualities, enabling it to form denseexpanding thickets to the exclusionof other plant species.

A milky sap is exuded from allparts of the plant whendamaged. This sap is aknown skin and eye irritantand is toxic to livestock, whereit has caused many fatalities.

These qualities enable narrowleafcottonbush to invade many environments,including intact bushland, where it can befound displacing local plants along gullies,wetlands, hillsides and woodlands. It isalso common in wasteland, pasture androad verges.

Look-alikesBalloon cottonbush (G. physocarpus) is verysimilar to narrowleaf cottonbush and isknown to readily hybridise with this species.Capable of invading similar habitats toballoon cottonbush, it is currently onlyknown from a few locations within thePerth metropolitan area but has thepotential to spread further. Ballooncottonbush can be determined by its morespherical, larger fruit (five to 7.5 centimetreslong by two to 5.5 centimetres wide) borneon a straight stalk.

Management and controlHand removal of narrowleaf cottonbush iseffective, though care must be taken tominimise soil disturbance and subsequentdisturbance of the long-lived soil-storedseed bank. It is also essential to removethe crown and as many lateral roots aspossible to avoid resprouting.

WARNING: Contact with the sap ofnarrow leaf cottonbush can cause painfulinflammation of the skin and eyes, andmay cause temporary or permanent

Narrowleaf cottonbush (Gomphocarpusfruticosus) invading a freshwater paperbarkcommunity along the Canning River, Ferndale.Photo – Rebecca Hayes

blindness. When undertaking physicalcontrol methods, be sure to use gloves,safety glasses and protective clothing toprevent contact with the sap.

Where there is little chance of off-targetdamage, foliar spray with 1.5 per centglyphosate between September andDecember. Alternatively, try cutting theplant off as close to the crown as possibleand immediately painting with 50 per centglyphosate. Beware of using glyphosateproducts in and around waterways.

Further readingParsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G.(1992) Noxious Weeds of Australia, CSIROPublishing, Collingwood, Australia.

Brown, K. and Brooks, K. (2002) BushlandWeeds; A Practical Guide to TheirManagement, Environmental WeedsAction Network, Greenwood, WA.

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J.,Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007)Western Weeds 2nd Edition; A Guide tothe Weeds of Western Australia, The PlantProtection Society of Western AustraliaInc., Victoria Park, WA

http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/

Narrowleaf cottonbush plant (A), leaf (B),flowers (C) and fruit (D). Illustration –Charles A. Gardner (Western AustralianHerbarium, DEC, collection)

4 www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

ECONOTES:

Summer flowering plants By Grazyna Paczkowska

Although few people venture into Perth’s bushland during the hot summer season, many flowering plants can be seenat this time of year. At a time when there are few sources of nectar and pollen available, these summer flowering plantshave more opportunity to attract many pollinators. Although they may not flower every year, and peak flowering mayvary from year to year, it is worth visiting the bush to take a look.

Western Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda) in full bloom. Photo – Grazyna Paczkowska

flowering material, it was impossible toidentify this mysterious plant, so it wasrecorded as a ‘herb with hooks’. Searchingcontinued for two seasons for a clue toidentify the plant, but it was not untilautumn 2008, during a field trip to BrixtonStreet Wetlands, that an old flower stalk ofSchoenolaena juncea was found with greenleaves still at the base. S. juncea is anexample of a summer flowering speciesbelonging to the carrot family (Apiaceae).There are only two species in this genus –both endemic to WA – occurring in swampyareas on the Swan Costal Plain and DarlingRange near Perth. During the coolerseasons, it produces few basal leaves whichwither early and, in summer, give rise to aslender erect inflorescence ending innumerous white, dark-tipped flower heads.

ReferencesBrown, A., Thomson-Dans, C. andMarchant, N. (Eds) (1998) WesternAustralia’s Threatened Flora. Departmentof Conservation and Land Management.

George, A.S. (2002) The Long Dry: BushColours of Summer and Autumn in South-western Australia. Four Gables Press, Kardinya.

Marchant, N.G. et al. (1987) Flora of thePerth Region: Parts One and Two. WesternAustralian Herbarium, Perth.

http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/

1987. The mystery of its disappearance ispartly attributed to its summer floweringhabit – a time when plant surveys are rarelyundertaken. In addition, summer pimelea isonly known to occur on the Darling Rangeand is often hidden by the dense shrubsamong which it grows.

In spring 2006, during watsonia monitoringworks at Meelon Nature Reserve, a strangeplant was encountered in one of the plots – a basal clump of terete fleshy green leaveswhich tapered into a tiny hook. Lacking

Woody pear (Xylomelum occidentale) stem with leaves and flowering spikes (left), pear-shapedhard woody fruit (right) which open to release large winged seed (middle). Illustration – SusanJ. Patrick (Western Australian Herbarium, DEC, collection)

The obviousNothing more clearly signals the approachof summer than the Western AustralianChristmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda). It iseasy to spot as it has masses of brilliantorange blossom during the ‘festive’season. The Western Australian Christmastree is the largest mistletoe in the worldand is semi-parasitic, requiring host plantsto provide some of its nutrients. Itsunderground suckers attach themselves tosurrounding roots and even undergroundtelephone cables can become the targetof their clasping suckers. Their semi-parasitic nature probably helps them toflower and produce winged, wind-dispersed fruits during the hottest anddriest part of the year.

The woody pear (Xylomelum occidentale)is a handsome small tree and many of usare familiar with its woody grey pear-shaped fruits. During December to Januaryit has masses of creamy white flowerspikes that attract bees, wasp and flies.

The not-so-obviousSummer pimelea (Pimelea rara) was firstcollected by James Drummond in 1873with some more collections dating up to1919. It was then not seen or collectedfor 68 years before being rediscovered in

Summer 2008-2009bushlandnews

5www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Rare sunmothdiscovered in Sorrento

The endangered graceful sunmoth(Synemon gratiosa) Photo – R. Kinsey

The discovery of a new population of theendangered graceful sunmoth (Synemongratiosa) in Porteous Park, Sorrento, wasthe highlight of three years of surveysconducted by DEC. This diurnal moth isactive from March to early April andtypically inhabits banksia woodlands inPerth’s northern suburbs. The newpopulation surprised researchers by itsoccurrence in coastal heath vegetation,where it has not previously been located.

Funded by the Natural Heritage Trustthrough the Swan Catchment Council,the surveys have recorded low densities ofthe sunmoth at eight sites. The sunmothis thought to only move up to 300metres, which would make it unlikely todisperse between populations or re-colonise sites following local extinction.The 2008 surveys confirmed that twoknown locations continue to sustainpopulations of the moth despite two yearsof minimal sightings. DEC will conductfurther surveys in suitable habitat inMarch and April 2009.

For more information, contact Nicole Willers on 9423 2900 ornicole.willers@dec.wa.gov.au.

A new online window into WA’s biodiversity

By Paul Gioia

Countless WA surveys andresearch projects have resulted inmany datasets and reportscontaining valuable informationabout managing our naturalenvironment. Until now, much of thisinformation has been hard to access. DEC,in partnership with the Western AustralianMuseum, has developed NatureMap, afree, easy-to-use website that moves uscloser to a ‘one-stop shop’ for questionsabout biodiversity.

NatureMap contributes to conservationplanning by providing planners, researchersand community groups with access tonearly a million records for close to 14,000species from the main collections of theWestern Australian Herbarium and WesternAustralian Museum, as well as 14 majorDEC databases. There are tools to mapspecies distribution and diversity across theState, download data, report onendemism, check invasive and conservationstatus and much more.

NatureMap has been primarily funded byDEC, with substantial support from theSaving our Species BiodiversityConservation Initiative. Additional supportto date has been received from the Avon

Catchment Council Baselining NaturalResource Management Project, for whichDEC is the lead agency.

Most of NatureMap’s development timehas been spent on integrating data but thedatabase is expected to expand rapidly.Future developments will include:

• New themes, including plant responseto disturbance and Avon regional focus.Other possibilities include weeds andferals, cane toads and climate change.

• New layers, such as pastoral leases andvegetation maps.

• Enhanced displays for relevantpublications and reports, or scientificsites of interest for an area.

In addition, NatureMap could provide amechanism for acquiring new data fromthe public about our environment, forexample to monitor the impact of climatechange.

Visit http://naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au.

Caring for our Country Open Grants recipients announced

Projects to receive funding under the Federal Government’s Caringfor our Country Open Grants were announced in November 2008,with WA receiving 10 per cent of the $28.5 million. Successful WAprojects included biodiversity management in the Western Desertand Rangelands, weed management in the Kimberley, conservationof the Gouldian finch through Indigenous fire management, habitatprotection for the endangered Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, educationin the Blackwood Basin, sustainable brushwood production inMoore catchment and a regional conservation plan for the south-west global biodiveristy hotspot. More details about funded

projects across Australia can be found atwww.nrm.gov.au/projects/open-grants.html#open.

The Australian Government is now calling for investment proposalsfor projects that will achieve the targets outlined in the Caring forour Country Business Plan 2009-10. Visit www.nrm.gov.au formore information and updates about the business plan and detailsof how you can submit proposals. Contact Neil Riches (Caring forour Country Facilitator – Environment) on 9285 8487 orneil.riches@nrm.gov.au.

Summer flowering natives – some Christmas iconsNew South Wales: NSW Christmas bush(Ceratopetalum gummiferum), Christmas bells(Blandfordia grandiflora and B. nobilis)

Queensland: Christmas orchid (Calanthetriplicata)

South Australia and Tasmania: Christmasbush (Bursaria spinosa)

Victoria: Victorian Christmas bush(Prostanthera lasianthos)

Western Australia: Western AustralianChristmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda)

For more information visitwww.anbg.gov.au/christmas/.

HighlightsMonday 2 February2009 WA Wetland ManagementConference, Cockburn WetlandsEducation Centre. Registration forms atwww.cockburnwetlands.org.au or emaildenise@cockburnwetlands.org.au orcall 9417 8460. Concessional rate forcommunity group volunteers is $20(includes all refreshments andproceedings).

28 March–5 AprilConservation Week celebrates WA’sunique environment and promotesawareness and action towards buildinga sustainable future. Communitygroups, environmental organisations,schools, local business and individualsare invited to take part by registeringan event already happening duringconservation week or considerorganising a special event tocommunicate the importance of theenvironment. The Conservation Councilof WA has organised a photographycompetition, science project andawards. Call 9420 7266 or visitwww.conservationwa.asn.au.

Sunday 29 MarchEarth Solutions Expo, Northam.Guest speakers Peter Andrews (authorBack From the Brink) and Gerard Sierro(ecological architect). Photographicexhibition and live music. To take partcall 9574 2306 or 9622 8043.

Sunday 23–Thursday 27 August2009 Conference of the Societyfor Ecological RestorationInternational, Perth.Visit www.seri2009.com.au.

Conservation VolunteersAustralia 2009 conservationactivity schedule. Overnightcountry trips to one-day activities.2/343 Newcastle Street, Northbridge.Call Andrew 9227 5711 or visitwww.conservationvolunteers.com.au.

Sundays 8am–10amBushcare activities every Sundaywith the Friends of Shenton ParkBushland. Contact Dani 9381 3470 orbojel@iinet.net.au.

Sundays 8.30amBushcare activities with the Friendsof Wireless Hill are held on thesecond and fourth Sunday of eachmonth. Meet at main car park.Contact Margaret 9315 9075 ors3mmatthews@hotmail.com.

Thursdays 8am–9amBushcare activities every Thursdaywith Byford Enviro-Link. Call JohanneGarvey or Kristy Gregory 9526 0199.

Saturdays 9amBushcare activities with theFriends of Brixton Street Wetlandsare held on the third Saturday ofeach month. Call Regina 9459 2964.

February10 Tuesday 8pmWheatbelt Orchids with guestspeaker Dr Mark Brundrett.Wildflower Society of WA (PerthBranch). Subiaco Community Centre.Call Nina 0427 936 566.

12 Thursday 8pmButterflies with guest speaker EricMcCrum. Wildflower Society of WA(Armadale Branch). History House,Jull St, Armadale near thecourthouse. Call Chris 9398 9140.

March28–29 Saturday–Sunday9am–11am Pancakes in the Park with theFriends of Bungendore Park inconjunction with the Hills HeartbeatFestival, Armadale Christian College,birds of prey and reptile displays.Bungendore Park, Admiral Rd,Bedfordale. Call Ron 9495 2626.

April19 Sunday 9.30amBusy Bee with the Friends of PiesseBrook. Meet at the gate intoKalamunda National Park, end ofSchipp Rd, Piesse Brook.Wear boots,gloves and a hat. Bring drink, secateursand a smile. Email linda@johnstanley.ccto confirm. Check websitewww.friendsofpiessebrook.org.au foradditional information.

what’s onOpportunities for you to take part! Visitors always welcome but please confirm

activities with the contact person. Most activities are FREE!

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Please send us your April, May,June and early July events by Thursday 26 February 2009.

Activities keyHands on – bushland andwetland management activities.

Walks and tours – look, listenand enjoy guided walks andexcursions.

Skills developmentactivities – talks,presentations, training coursesand workshops.

Meetings and events –group meetings, expos, festivalsand conferences.

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Going bush with Nearer to NatureEnjoy the bush with one of Nearer toNature’s diverse and exciting nature-based activities this January schoolholidays. Activities for the adventurousinclude Hi-Tek Trail Trekkers, andCanning Canoeing Capers; for thecurious there is Deadly and Dangerous,It’s a Shell Life and Wild about Whalesand for those who want to experiencean encounter with amazing nativeanimals come to Wonders of theWildlife Ark, Nocturnal Delights, orWhoo’s Who.

The evening Valentine’s Day special,Darlings on the Range, includes a

guided walk, gourmet picnic hamper,a chance to meet native animals withan animal carer, and a movie in theopen-air Kookaburra Cinema.

For a brief forest getaway, why notbook a night of forest camping atthe Perth Hills National Parks Centre?The camp ground features universalaccess, 12 individually marked sites, acamp kitchen and even hot showers!To complete the evening, stroll to theKookaburra Cinema where you canenjoy an open-air screening onweekends during November to April.For information call 9295 2244.

Free subscription to Bushland News is available in hard copy orelectronically. Although we are committed to continue theproduction of paper copies, some subscribers may wish toreceive their newsletter electronically. In full colour, the electronicversion arrives several days earlier and saves paper too! If youwould like to receive Bushland News electronically, send an emailto urban.nature@dec.wa.gov.au titled ‘email me’.

Current and archived issues are available atwww.dec.wa.gov.au/programs/urban-nature/bushland-news.html.

Subscribe now

Summer 2008-2009

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bushlandnews

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Catchments, Corridors, CoastWednesday 14 January–Friday 16January 2009

This practical three-day programaims to develop an awareness ofenvironmental education resources,to support and address coresustainability issues and to developnetworks in WA. Learn what isbeing done by community groupsand government, what resources areavailable and how we can worktogether. Includes extensive take-home resources linked to the currentWestern Australian educationcurriculum.

Those who should attend includecommunity groups, youthorganisations, teachers, studentteachers, Sustainable SchoolsInitiative participants, tertiarystudents or new graduates,environmental and governmentofficers. Expressions of interest forsponsored positions to attend areavailable. If you are a volunteer foryour local Landcare group or workwith Scouts or Guides, you areeligible to apply. Mark yourregistration form ‘EOI SponsoredPosition’.

Contact Catherine Baudains on 93606393 or c.baudains@murdoch.edu.au.Visit www.aaeewa.org.au.

What does your gardengrow?This ‘Train the Trainer’ workshopaims to provide knowledge and toolsto deliver informed advice tocustomers, community groups andthe general public about local,national, environmental, noxious anddeclared weeds. It will assist you toeducate the general public in how toprotect the environment as theygarden. It also includes a resource kitthat can be easily adapted for you touse in your local situation. Time:9am–3pm. Cost: $200.

Tuesday 17 February 2009, CanningRiver Eco Education Centre, Wilson.Contact Melinda Snowball atSERCUL on 9458 5664 ormelindasnowbal@sercul.org.au.

Thursday 19 February 2009,Esperance. Contact Robyn Cail on 9071 7685 orrobync@southcoastnrm.com.au.

What pesky plant is that?This workshop aims to provide theknowledge and tools to use the‘Environmental Weeds of Australia’Lucid3 key CD-ROM, whichidentifies more than 1,000 majorenvironmental weeds in Australia. It is a practical workshop focused onthe process of identification usingthe computerised key and therequirements for submitting samplesto herbaria for formal identification.Time: 9am–3pm. Workshop cost:$200. Optional CD-ROM: $59(excluding GST and postage).

Wednesday 18 February 2009 at theCanning River Eco Education Centre,Wilson. Contact Melinda Snowballat SERCUL on 9458 5664 or emailmelindasnowbal@sercul.org.au.

Sustainable LivingWorkshopsWe all know greenhouse gasemissions are a BIG problem. But didyou know that organic waste inlandfill plays a significant role in this?Learn how you can easily ‘dispose’ ofthis problem in the home.

You can choose workshops that willhelp you make compost; run yourown worm farm; grow your ownyummy veggies; create DIYfertilisers, herbicides andinsecticides; have happy hens; createa stunning native garden; andreduce your CO2 emissions.

Thanks to the Zerowaste initiativethe first 15 participants registeredget FREE entry into each workshop.So get in early! Held Sundaysbeginning 15 February,1.00–2.30pm at the RockinghamEnvironment Centre. ContactNaragebup on 9591 3077 orrrec@naragebup.org.au or visitwww.naragebup.org.au.

Learning opportunities

Coastwest GrantsCoastwest Grants are for on-ground coastalmanagement activities and to facilitate communityinvolvement and capacity building. Eligible applicantsinclude local and State government and communitygroups. Grants are up to $150,000 and projects mustbe completed within 12 months. They are awardedwith a funding ratio of 1:1 Coastwest Grant dollar toapplicant dollar. Applications for grants will be openbetween February and April 2009.

Coastwest Community Support Grants encouragecommunity groups to become involved in coastal andmarine management and to maintain the momentumof the group while waiting for more funding. Fundsare allocated for materials, contractors, equipmenthire, training, capacity building and groupestablishment costs. Rolling grants up to $3,000 areavailable on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Contact the State Coastwest Coordinator on 9264 7834 or coastwest@wapc.wa.gov.au. Visit www.wapc.wa.gov.au/coastwest.

Threatened Species Network CommunityGrant ProgramThese grants fund on-ground work for the ongoinghealth of our natural environment, specificallytargeting nationally threatened species and ecologicalcommunities. Funding activities include habitatrestoration, weed and feral animal control,monitoring, surveys, fencing and fire management.Closing date is to be advised. Contact Michael Roacheor Katherine Howard on 9387 6444 ortsnwa@wwf.org.au or visitwww.wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/tsngrants.

Junior Landcare Grants ProgramJunior Landcare is Landcare Australia’s youth program,which aims to get kids actively involved in theirenvironment. Any school or organisation that would like to involve their students in landcare projects, inconjunction with local landcare groups, can apply forgrants. The program targets water quality andconservation, waste reduction and recycling, schoolgardens, biodiversity and environmental monitoring.Grant applications range from $500 to $1,000.Applications close 6 March, 15 May, 7 August and 23October 2009. Contact Sarah Harris on (03) 9662 9977or sarah.harris@landcareaustralia.com.au.

Australia Post Community DevelopmentGrantCommunity and landcare groups can apply for yearlygrants of up to $3,300 for tools and equipment, or tohelp raise awareness and encourage more communitymembers to get involved. Dates and programs will beposted on www.landcareonline.com.au in early 2009.Contact the Landcare Project Coordinator on (03) 9662 9977 or grants@landcareaustralia.com.au.

Funding opportunities

regionalreportsbushlandnews

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It has been a busy few months for theFriends of Paganoni Swamp. Some newmembers joined the group just in time toundertake some serious hand weeding,particularly for Geraldton carnation weedand pretty Betsy. Staff from DEC’s UrbanNature and Bush Forever crew helpedweed. What a fantastic resource they are,with so much enthusiasm and ability toundertake a range of tasks. The handweeding combined well with the group’sweed spraying program concentrating onGeraldton carnation weed, pretty Betsy,cape tulip and dune onion weed fundedby a Community Conservation Grant andCemex Australia Ltd.

Are we winning? We think so, particularlywith Geraldton carnation weed and prettyBetsy. Management of Geraldton carnationweed along the western boundary wasmore effective this year, and there was asignificant decrease in cover of pretty Betsyat the one site that was sprayed last year. Itwill be interesting to check the three prettyBetsy sites next year to see if there is amarked reduction at all three sites.

For more information contact Leonie on0439 921 298 orFriends_Paganoni_Swamp@westnet.com.au.For information on volunteeringopportunities with Rockingham LakesRegional Park call 9431 6500.

www.dec.wa.gov.au

Please send us your regional report (150–200 words) and a photo by Thursday 26 February 2009.Text may be edited in response to volume of submitted reports.

Bushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Weeding pretty Betsy from Paganoni Swamp. (Left) Bev Tomren, Arne Tomren (Friends of PaganoniSwamp), Sam Nunn (Bush Forever), Anne Bellman (Friends of Paganoni Swamp), GrazynaPaczkowska (Urban Nature) and Michael Sarich (Bush Forever crew). Photo – Leonie Stubbs

Bungendore Park activities

By Kim Sarti

Bungendore Park Management Committee, inconjunction with the City of Armadale, heldits Djilba Spring Walk in the park on 21September. It was a bleak day, but some 55intrepid people still took part before heavyrains fell at 10am. Morning tea provided bythe Armadale Lions Club was a warmwelcome as walkers huddled under theshelter. There were some people who wenthome very wet that day!

The ever-popular Bungendore Bush Breakfastcooked by Armadale Lions Club was held inthe park bushland on 9 November. More than70 people enjoyed the breakfast, organised inconjunction with the Armadale Wildflower

Society. A display of 50 weeds thatthreaten our natural bushland generatedmuch interest. A lot of people wereunaware that wattle and eucalypt speciesfrom the eastern states are weeds in ourbushland. Following breakfast, societymembers led four guided walks throughthe jarrah-marri forest in Bungendore Park.

A successful 2009 Swan Alcoa LandcareProgram grant will enable the continuationof revegetation, feral honeybee anddieback control work in the park alongwith some interpretive signage.

Consider joining us for ‘Pancakes in thePark’ on 28–29 March (see What’s On).Call Kim on 9470 2297.

Weeding Paganoni By Leonie Stubbs

By Alison Dugand

One hundred years ago, Hudman Reserve(38.9 hectares) in Darlington was a hive ofactivity due to the extraction of graniterequired for the Fremantle HarbourScheme. By 1901, dozens of iron andhessian huts were clustered near the site(many traces of the settlement are stillvisible between the quarry and CoulstonRoad). Granite was transported by trainfrom Boya siding to Fremantle. Oncompletion of the harbour, the supply ofblue metal continued in the region untilthe early 1960s.

The quarry has been used as anamphitheatre but is now somewhatneglected and suffering the impact oftoo-frequent fires, erosion, rubbishdumping and aggressive weeds. Thereserve supports sensitive vegetationcommunities associated with granite anddolerite outcrops, including openshrublands of hakea, verticordia, grevilleaand low wandoo woodlands, withsignificant areas in excellent condition.

Local resident Peter Day has almosteliminated watsonia from Hudman Reserveas part of his long-term watsonia controlprogram in Darlington. During the pastfour years he has also contained andcontrolled lupins. During August 2008, theEastern Hills Green Corp team, withsupport from the Shire of Mundaring’sBushcare Coordinator and ParksMaintenance Officer, contributed to Peter’sefforts with a major attack on the worst ofthe lupin infestation in the large quarry.This was conducted in good time beforeseed pod formation. The long-term visionis that the site be rehabilitated, althoughextensive on-going weed management will be required to ensure success.

For more information contact Alison on 9290 6685 oralisondugand@mundaring.wa.gov.au.

Jacob Enwright (Eastern Hill Green CorpTeam) sprays lupins in Hudson Road Reserve.Photo – Alison Dugand

Recovery of HudmanRoad Reserve

regionalreports

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Summer 2008-2009

By Jodee Lysaght

A grant from the Peel DevelopmentCommission enabled the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Community LandcareCentre to run five ‘Great Gardens’workshops in 2008. The workshopsat Byford, Jarrahdale, Pinjarra andMandurah informed participantsabout recreating local nativebushland in their gardens, water-wise plants and fertilisers. They werea resounding success, attracting anaverage of 83 participants perworkshop. Additional funding willenable another three workshops tobe held in autumn 2009.

At a Byford Enviro-Link meeting inearly 2008, the group discussedhow it could improve thestreetscape and capture the ‘ruralfeel’ that it wants to maintain andenhance in Byford. The group decided toadopt a positive approach bycongratulating those gardeners that weredoing the ‘right thing’ by creating nativeflora gardens. The Australian NativeNursery on King Road agreed to supply a$10 voucher for any resident achieving a10-star rating for their garden. The groupreceived a grant from the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire to print certificates. Theyhope that if someone receives a certificate

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

Initiative to encourage biodiverse gardens in Byford

CVA – a resource of willing volunteers

By Andrew Soltys

In mid-2008 Conservation Volunteers Australia(CVA) completed two weeks of track and trailmaintenance along the Yaberoo BudjaraHeritage Trail, in conjunction with the City ofWanneroo and DEC. Located 26 kilometresnorth of Perth, the 28-kilometre walk trailstarts at Lake Joondalup and continues northto Yanchep National Park. The trail is asignificant cultural landmark, having beenused by the Nyoongar Aboriginal people tomove between lakes Joondalup, Neerabup andYanchep.

CVA is a not-for-profit, non-governmentorganisation managing a volunteer networkon community-based conservation projectsacross the State. It has more than 3,500volunteers on the WA database, and is

involved with numerous projectsthroughout WA including seed collection,revegetation, weed maintenance, exclusionfencing, property maintenance, boardwalkconstruction and deck construction,wetland revitalisation and surveying ofvegetation and fauna species. CVA has anexcellent long-term track record ofworking in partnership with numerousState Government departments, as well aslocal councils and shires. Partners find thisan excellent way to assist in themanagement of their annual budgets,while providing much-needed communityservice to WA’s willing volunteers.

For more information contact AndrewSoltys (WA Regional Manager) on 9227 5711 or asoltys@cva.org.au orwww.conservationvolunteers.com.au.

Shire of Kalamundaleading the way By Nicole O’Neill

The Shire of Kalamunda has been aparticipant in the Cities for ClimateProtection Program since 2000 and has beenofficially recognised for its proactive approachto environmental sustainability. The shire waselevated to the Cities for Climate ProtectionPlus, which aims to mitigate the effects ofclimate change and improve sustainability inthe corporate sector with a whole-of-councilapproach. The shire is committed toachieving a 20 per cent reduction goal forcorporate activities, aiming to stabilisecommunity emissions by 2010.

This national program involves 230 localgovernment authorities. To find out how youcan get involved in environmental sustainableinitiatives call the shire on 9257 9999.

Christine Randall (left), Julie Boaler and Athol Wiggcollecting seed as part of a workshop in January 2008with Byford Enviro-Link. Photo – Colleen Rankin

Friends of Porteous Park By Mike Norman

Porteous Park is two-and-a-half hectares ofbushland in Sorrento. Formed in 2002, theFriends group has successively weeded thebushland sections of the park. During 2008, it put in a big effort to achieve ‘zerotolerance’ of carnation weed, fumitory,pelargonium and perennial veldt grass. It istrying to promote natural regeneration withsome supplementary planting of localprovenance seedlings supplied by the City of Joondalup. More than 300 volunteerhours were expended during 2008, including visits by Conservation VolunteersAustralia, church and school groups.

In April 2008, the City of Joondalup fencedthe bushland areas of Porteous to close allbut one of the informal paths and reduce the incidence of lawn clippings beingdumped. An isolated piece of bushland wasfenced into the whole, and the city sprayedthe gap of turf between them ready forplanting in 2009. The community supportedthis initiative, except for the closure of thenorth-east track, which caused someopposition and will therefore be re-openedwith a turnstile gate at each end.

In 2008 a previously unknown population ofthe rare graceful sunmoth (Synemon gratiosa)was found at Porteous Park (see article page 5).

For more information contact Mike on 9448 1978 or mike.norman@bigpond.comor visit www.porteouspark.org.au.

with a five-star rating it may encouragethem to undertake additional changes totheir garden to elevate their garden’s statusto a 10-star rating.

Byford Enviro-Link members continue theirweekly activities in bushland, roadside orrailway reserves to weed, plant, collectseed, mulch and pick up litter.

For more information contact Jodee on 9525 5786 or email jodee@landcaresj.com.au.

bushlandnews

10 www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

regionalreports

There are currently three active friendsgroups under the Joondalup CommunityCoast Care Forum (JCCCF) umbrella.

At the Sorrento dunes (south) MikeNorman coordinates work on a high-profile800-metre stretch of dunes from MarmionAngling and Aquatic Club north toSorrento Surf Life Saving Club. During2008, Conservation Volunteers Australia(CVA) and Woodside Petroleum employeeshelped community volunteers. Workincluded hand weeding priority species andplanting local provenance seedlingsprovided by the City of Joondalup. InAugust 2008, the entire Human ResourceDivision of Woodside (50 employees) spentthree hours ‘blitzing’ a degraded areasouth of the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club.Eighty bags of weeds and rubbish wereremoved so the area is ready for planting in2009. The construction of a lookout areaand boardwalk is planned in 2010.

Rehabilitation areas near Ross Avenue arelooking very good, with excellent naturalregeneration occurring in conjunction withvery high seedling survival rates. In 2008,more than 372 volunteer hours wereexpended on the Sorrento Beach (south)site. Financial assistance from Coastwestpaid for two days of contractor handweeding, and the City of Joondalup sprayed

along the edge of the shared path tocontrol weed invasion from the eastern side.

In the Iluka/Ocean Reef area, where DrMarjorie Apthorpe is the Friends groupcoordinator, an Envirofund grant fundedplants and hand weeding in two degradedareas. Intensive hand weeding in thenorthern area was contracted out, as theCity of Joondalup does not permit anyFriends group member (or anyonecontracted by them) to use herbicides. Thesouthern area was ‘tackled’ by volunteers,with financial assistance from Coastwest topay for contractor hand weeding. A City ofJoondalup Community Grant of $2,500 andsome on-ground help from CVA helpedwith the continuation of rehabilitationwork. The Friends group has held 11community work sessions this year, and afaithful core of eight to nine people supportwatering and weeding days, with up to 18volunteers on planting days. More than 307volunteer hours were expended in 2008and 500 bags of weeds removed.

In the Mullaloo area, Marie MacDonald andMarilyn Zakrevsky coordinated volunteerweeding and planting activities, withadditional help from CVA. Nearly 500seedlings were planted in the West ViewBoulevade and Korella Beachpath–Oceanside Promenade areas during

July 2008. Fencing was installed, but 40 metres was stolen shortly afterinstallation! A Coastcare grant of $13,800has been received for fencing, sandtrapping, signage and seedlings alongKorella Beach path to Key West Drive carpark path for work during 2009.

Two committee members of JCCCF attendedthe 2008 National Landcare Awards inCanberra, having won the State award(coastcare category) in 2007. Although it didnot win the national award, it was a goodopportunity to mix with volunteers andprofessionals from around the country doingsome fantastic on-ground work.

JCCCF is one of 34 participants in theCommunity Reference Group for the OceanReef Marina redevelopment project. JCCCFhas independently surveyed the flora of theproposed site in Ocean Reef and believesthere are some important coastal heathcommunities in very good to excellentcondition. It will examine the city’s DraftStructure Plan for the site when releasedand submit views as part of the formalcommunity consultation process.

Contact Mike on 9448 1978 ormike.norman@bigpond.com for moreinformation.

2008 in review for JCCCF By Mike Norman

Bicton foreshore conservation By Marion Nairn

The Bicton Environmental Action Group(BEAG) was founded in 2004 with the aim ofprotecting and enhancing the naturalforeshore environment from Bicton Baths toPoint Walter. Considerable work has beencarried out at Point Walter Reserve and alongBlackwall Reach Parade to eliminate invasiveweeds and to restore the natural flora. BEAGwork tirelessly to weed the bush with someassistance from Conservation VolunteersAustralia, which has included volunteers fromas far away as Japan.

The City of Melville in conjunction with BEAGreceived an $18,000 grant for restoration ofthe foreshore including weed-spraying, jutematting and planting. More than 7,000seedlings were planted in 2007 with moreplantings in 2008. Bicton Primary Schoolstudents also planted. Seed collection and anongoing smoked water trial is hoped to bringsome good results through direct seeding.

During the past two years BEAG hasremoved more than nine cubic metres ofSydney oyster shell and rubble from theBicton Baths area. This has considerablyimproved the use of the popular river beacharea, but more work needs to be done. Twoforeshore cleanups are held each year. Afterthe first winter storms, the clean up from

Bicton Baths to Blackwall Reach usuallyresults in a big harvest of boat rubbish andplastic. An extra cleanup from Point Walterto Blackwall Reach is held at the end ofwinter. These are surprisingly popular andwell-attended activities.

Feral bees and foxes are common in PointWalter Reserve. Feral beehives have beenremoved under a biodiversity grant throughthe City of Melville. Fox sightings haveincreased in recent years with some evenvisiting houses in the area. A coordinatedremoval program is to be conducted by theCity of Melville and the Town of EastFremantle. This will also need theinvolvement of Fremantle City Council,Department of Defence and Fremantle PortAuthority.

BEAG always welcomes more helpers.Contact Peter Neesham on 9339 7795 orpneesham@bigpond.net.au.

Volunteers clearing accumulated oyster shellfrom Bicton Baths. Photo – BEAG

Summer 2008-2009

11

After the closure of BarringtonQuarry, Ellis Brook Valley was left inpoor condition, with degradedareas, a lot of rubbish and the threatthat Sixty Foot Waterfall couldbecome the next quarry. This threatwas averted when a group of localresidents successfully campaignedfor the waterfall area to be thesubject of a land swap. Followingthis, the Friends of Ellis Brook Valleywas formed in 1992.

GROUPPROFILE:

Friends of Ellis Brook ValleyBy John Bowler

The work of the Friends group continued with a diverse range ofprojects such as erosion control, aerial spraying to suppress thespread of dieback and walk trail and boardwalk construction. Aformer degraded gravel pit has been transformed into a nativeplant garden and picnic area, which was named HoneyeaterHollow. Funding for these projects was largely provided by theFriends group applying for grants from Lotterywest, DEC and theCity of Gosnells. The Rotary Club of Maddington also sponsorednew barbecue and picnic facilities. It also assisted with planting asdid local school children and the Cub Scouts.

Work to survey and document all the plants growing in the valleywas started by Margaret Robertson and carried on by HeatherBowler. Heather sadly has now passed away. Heather worked closelywith the Western Australian Herbarium and an Ellis Brook RegionalHerbarium was established at the Western Australian Herbarium.With more than 500 species documented, it has demonstrated thatEllis Brook is a very significant wildflower location.

While supportive in the early years, the City of Gosnells had otherpriorities and all the energy and motivation for rehabilitating EllisBrook Valley came from the Friends group. However, the city is nowvery active and involved. It has increased the area of its lease toencompass the whole valley. It has initiated an upgrade of thefacilities, including some very stylish signage and an entrystatement. The city has also constructed new walk trails andupgraded some existing ones. Some of these projects have been inpartnership with the Friends group. The city considers the valley anasset to the local community and as having long-term eco-tourismpotential.

The Friends group is now focusing on the parking area just belowthe falls – perhaps one of the last areas requiring improvement.Draft plans have been submitted to the council and it is againhoped a cooperative approach will yield a good result.

The Friends of Ellis Brook Valley welcome new members. Pleasephone 9459 2086.

Only 20 kilometres from Perth city, thedelightful Ellis Brook Valley carves its waythrough the Darling Scarp and onto theSwan Coastal Plain to the east ofGosnells. Looking towards the valley from the plain, one firstnotices the large quarries to the north and south. However, onentering the valley itself the natural beauty and rugged grandeurof the valley is realised. Progressing further you can see the aptlynamed Sixty Foot Waterfall which, after winter rains, adds furtherdrama. The wildflowers of the valley provide a varied andimpressive display, with the peak season being from September tomid-November. The workings of Barrington Quarry, which closedin approximately 1962, now blend into the landscape to addfurther interest.

Rehabilitating the valleyInitially, the Friends of Ellis Brook Valley, the City of Gosnells andthe State Emergency Service worked to clean up the valley site.Progressively, the Friends group revegetated degraded areas bycollecting seed, propagating and planting out. Another mammothtask was to control and contain various weed infestations.

www.dec.wa.gov.auBushland News Issue 68 - Summer 2008-2009

(From left) Heather Bowler, Rod and Rosemary Thompson and Marc Lane from the Friends of EllisBrook Valley working to construct a settling pond. Photo – John Bowler

Sixty Foot Waterfall, Ellis Brook Valley. Photo – John Bowler

2008

569-

3-16

00If not claimed within 7 days, please return toPO Box 1167, Bentley Delivery Centre, Kensington, WA 6983 POSTAGE

PAID PERTH WEST.

AUST. 6000

Printed on 100% recycled, totally chlorine free (TCF) paper using vegetable-based inks.

Resources

Tuart Dwellers (2008)Jan Ramage. Illustrated byHelen Hickman. DEC,Perth. RRP $26.95. Abeautifully illustratedchildren’s story bookcelebrating the diversity,colour and ingenuity of the natural world. “From thebreak of dawn to nightfall, the tuart is not as itappears. Leaves and bark, trunk and branches – allare places of pretence, traps and trickery.” Includes10 pages of fascinating facts.

Brush with Gondwana(2008) Janda Gooding.Botanical Artists Group ofWestern Australia. FremantlePress. RRP $60. A stunningand diverse collection ofbotanical artworks by M.Pieroni, K. Syme, P.Nikulinsky, P. Dundas, R.Erickson, E. Hickman and P. Leech. Tells the storiesbehind each artist’s illustrations and reveals a richand diverse record of WA’s unique biodiversity.

Southern Weeds and Their Control (2008) JohnMoore and Judy Wheeler. Second Edition. Departmentof Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA), Bulletin 4744.RRP $22. Contains information for field workers onweed identification, control methods and herbiciderecipes for both hand and broad-acre spraying.Contact DAFWA on 9368 3333 or email John Mooreon jmoore@agric.wa.gov.au.

Website watchPublications

Summer 2008-2009

bushlandnews

What does your garden grow?Cooperative Research Centre forAustralian Weed Management (WeedsCRC) (July 2008). An overview of theimpact of weeds on our environment,where weeds are a problem, how weedsspread and the theory and practicebehind control measures. Resources forthe home gardener and for workshoptrainers or weed professionals. Visitwww.weedscrc.org.au.

NatureMap is a free, easy-to-use websitethat moves us closer to a ‘one-stop shop’for questions about WA’s biodiversity. Visithttp://naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au.

The Atlas of Living Australia is a five-year project funded under the AustralianGovernment’s National CollaborativeResearch Infrastructure Strategy andinvolves Australian scientific institutionsand organisations. The goal of theproject is to develop web-based tools toaccess a wide range of informationresources, databases and images relatingto Australia’s fauna and flora. EmailWolf.Wanjura@csiro.au or visitwww.ala.org.au for information andnewsletters.

The Baldivis Children’s Forest websitehas been recreated. New pages, moreinformation and links. Visitwww.baldivis-childrens-forest.com.au.

Bushland weeds: a practical guideto their management with casestudies from the Swan Coastal Plainand beyond (2002) Kate Brown andKris Brooks. Illustrated by LibbySandiford. Environmental Weeds ActionNetwork Inc. A valuable resource textfor the practical management ofbushland weeds. This popular and nowout-of-print text is on the newlyupdated website www.environmentalweedsactionnetwork.org.au.

National Animal Pest Alertbrochures on the Indian ringneck,house crow and common myna.Contains information on these invasivespecies, risks to agriculture and theenvironment and how to distinguishthese non-native species from similar-looking native birds. Download fromwww.agric.wa.gov.au.

Please check your mailing detailsand let us know if we need tochange anything by phoning uson 9423 2914. If you’d prefer toreceive this newsletterelectronically, send an email titled ‘email me’ tourban.nature@dec.wa.gov.au.

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