Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park
On 24 January a deliberately lit fire on a high fire danger day burnt its way through 500 hectares of Scott Creek Conservation Park.
So goes the impassive headline.
The impact of that fire, which burnt just about all of the Park east of Dorset Vale Road, has been far more emotional. The fire continued and burnt out about 1700 hectares of the Mount Bold Reservoir Reserve and adjacent private property and council land, more than 2500 hectares in all.
A devastating heart-wrench for the Friends group was learning that the home of inaugural members Donna and Don Reid was also destroyed along with Donna’s amazing artworks and years and years of Don’s personal bird observation records. Testament to their local good-standing in the community has been the many spontaneous offers of support.
In the haze of coming to terms with what has been destroyed is the task ahead. We have been counting the losses – 30 years of carefully guiding the creek-lines towards their natural state, habitat loss for thousands (who really knows?) of mammals, reptiles and birds – let alone the insects and other invertebrates and how many actually perished in the fire. However, the task is not ours alone. The bush itself is already leading the way, with Yacca plants showing evident regeneration within a few days. Banksia, Hakea and Sheoak pods have burst and shed their seeds.
A major proportion of what is needed has been just sorting through all the offers of assistance, and how to prioritise them. Whilst heads of departments have been openly supportive, our very real appreciation goes to our team of Rangers – especially Brent and Jen who gave much of themselves while living with their own grief at the destruction.
The bush after a fire is a bit like a busted leg – splint it up and wait for it to heal naturally. But it also needs to be set right so that recovery to full function is assured. So much on offer is money, by way of donations and grant applications. The ‘project’ to recovery will take three to five years at least. Most of the substantial work will be done by paid contractors; but alongside this is the need for dedicated, regular, skilful on ground work by volunteers. There is a small group of our Friends who are working through all the tasks that are to be done and we will use our email and Facebook facilities to keep you informed of progress.
For now, the Park is closed to all except organised and approved work in the western, unburnt area by members of the Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park. Safety is the major factor. Many mature trees are quite unstable, and some have dramatically collapsed. Some roots may still be burning. Please respect the “park closed” signs on gates. These will be removed when the park re-opens to the public.
What can you do?
If you are not already a member and you would like to be part of this project, skip to our website and join up with FoSCCP for just $10.00 and the opportunity to get into some seriously satisfying work.
Jim Spiker
President
Anyone wanting more information about the Friends of Scott Creek CP, or wanting to get involved, can contact us on info@friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au or visit our website www.friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au. You can also follow us on our Facebook page where you will find up to date information about our activities, including photos of the park’s flora and fauna.
Programme of activities
April
Tue 6 Bushcare
Sun 11 Bushcare
Tue 6 General meeting
Sat, Sun 17, 18 Bird banding
Sat 24 Bushcare
Brent & Jim at Tom’s Outlook on Cup Gum Track, looking south over the fire ground.
Banksia Marginata (Silver Banksia) fruits opened by the fire to release seed.