Murrumbateman & Bowning Bookham Landcare groups enjoyed a guided field walk on Sue McIntyre’s property “Gang Gang” to see first hand how this conservation area is being managed.

After mindfully taking in the landscape, the group headed off on a walk to take a closer look at the many and diverse range of species and plant communities that are growing there. From the open grassy areas, through areas of dry sclerophyll forest and back through saline affected areas that had been restored.

The group continued to inspect more carefully the numerous native grassland plants that were being cultivated in the garden. Identifying them and discussing their habits and place within the landscape.

During the morning Sue highlighted the different techniques employed to manage this area in line with her conservation goals. These included;

• Weeding, of both noxious weeds and undesirable plants or those plants whose populations are out of balance.
• Thinning, by either manually removal or herbicides
• Protection from herbivores (mainly macropods) – which included fences, cages, sticks, and maintaining other plants that provide protection
• Seed dispersal
• Planting particular species to increase biodiversity
• Mowing
• Zero/ minimal nutrient input
• Allowing bare ground as an area for plants to germinate.

Discussion also focused on the various methods of fire damage mitigation such as

• Mowing
• Watering summer active native grasses to keep them green
• 50m exclusion zones around buildings
• Consideration as to where to plant green zones; and
• Water infrastructure design, placement and protection.

An inspiring, informative morning for everyone involved!

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

The Bowning Bookham & Yass Landcare group enjoyed a lovely spring day taking a guided walk by Alison Elvin to see the wildflowers that show themselves at this time of the year.

From the tiny Fairy Aprons (Tricularia dichotoma), rare Yass River Daisy (Ammobium craspedioides), delicate Fringe Lillies (Thysanotus tuberosus) and cheerful Milk Maid (Urchardia umbellata) there was plenty to see on this short walk.

After an explore along the Washpen Creek the group had a picnic lunch to also celebrate Nature NSW Picnic for Nature day. Alison insights into the abundance of native plants, grasses and forbs is always a highlight on these days and this walk was no exception.

Some of what the group took away from the day

• Identifying many unique plants
• Ways to manage this type of vegetation to encourage the proliferation of desirable plants and minimise weeds
• Great discussion around what is special about these areas
• How you can start or manage a revegetation project on your own place through our Habitat Hops project.

A great day to be out to enjoy this special area.

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

Recently a large group of Sutton residents set off on a walk around the Sutton Reserve, led by Alison Elvin, the ecologist from Wildscapes Rural in Yass. 

The Sutton Reserve is in dire need of rehabilitation.  Alison has produced a Management Plan outlining the key issues to be addressed in managing the rescue of the Reserve.  Key to proceeding further is the need for Sutton Landcare and others to establish a legal entity that would serve as the Crown Land Manager – this process is proceeding (albeit slowly).

Alison’s Management Plan covers many aspects – including:

• the need to establish a close working relationship with the local Ngambri and Ngunnawal Aboriginal Land Council.
• identifying biodiversity hotspots within the Reserve,
• creating an invasive weeds map, and an Integrated Weed Management Strategy to control priority weed species.
• strategies for dealing with feral animals,
• revegetation strategies including the use of climate-ready species and creation of a much-needed middle story layer,
• planning for public amenities (marked entry points, walking trails, logs as resting places),
• educational opportunities such as interpretive signs
• projects that can be undertaken by students from Sutton school.

The Plan also includes specific infrastructure recommendations such as replacing gates with bollards (to allow free pedestrian access but only authorised vehicular access) and continuous perimeter fencing.

Finally, fire management is a key consideration – cool burns to reduce excessive ground cover, removal of some undesirable species, reducing the overall fuel load (a fire safety measure for the village), and use of fire to re-invigorate some desirable species such as kangaroo grass, thus creating space for orchids and other forbs to re-emerge.

Alison pointed out that of the whole 12 Ha Reserve site, the 2-3 Ha closest to the school are the “Crown Jewels”, a rare example of box-gum grassy woodland containing more than 100 identified species of native plants, and many mature trees with nesting hollows, a veritable “Hilton Hotel for native birds” (Alison’s description).

If you wish to know more, please contact Sutton Landcare at [email protected]

This month, well known Sutton identity Lawrie Nock stepped down as treasurer of the Yass Area Network (YAN) after 11 years of diligent service.  Before that, Lawrie served as treasurer of the Sutton Landcare Group for more than a decade.  Lawrie’s financial expertise and general voice of reason have been invaluable in both roles and will be sorely missed. 

On behalf of YAN, Alison Elvin presented Lawrie with a bespoke hat rack on Sunday 29 October at the Little Sutton Bakehouse – an impressive and useful memento of his outstanding contributions.

YAN is the umbrella organisation providing guidance, and sometimes funding, for five regional landcaring groups, including Sutton Landcare Group.  YAN wishes Lawrie well as retired-treasurer and hopes to see him at many future landcare events.