Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park

Since the January fires that were deliberately lit around the local area, and which burnt out the eastern 500 hectares of Scott Creek CP, there has been much activity, mostly behind the scenes, planning for the recovery task ahead of us in the Friends group.

While the bushland will recover, there are a number of weeds that will benefit from the fire and compete with the regenerating native plants. Fire responsive weeds include Blackberry, Boneseed, Montpellier Broom, English Broom, Tree Heath, Gorse, Sallow Wattle and Bluebell Creeper. These weeds have received primary treatment throughout the broad areas of the park over the 30 years since the Friends group formed. This means that the original large populations of mature weeds have been removed and subsequent follow-up removal of seedlings has taken place repeatedly over the years.

While there are many other weeds that have been worked on in the park, these priority fire responsive ones tend to proliferate after fire, either by resprouting from the base or having a mass germination of seeds that have previously built up in the soil.

This can be a daunting prospect over such a large area, but it also provides an opportunity to greatly diminish the soil seedbank. If we are able to take this opportunity, and manage these germinating seedlings and resprouting weeds before they are old and large enough to flower and set seed, we can reduce the follow-up workload required in future years. Many of these weeds don’t flower and set seed in their first year, which gives us an 18 month window of opportunity to tackle the issue.

In addition to the efforts that will be required by the volunteers, we are also seeking funding to engage contractors to assist in some of the more difficult to access areas and because of the sheer size of the task confronting us.

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.