Bush regeneration is a fairly young and therefore inexact science. However, it is possible to draw on research and experience over the last thirty years or so to determine a ‘best practice’ approach to the work.
At Warrigal Green, we believe that this involves the following.
A comprehensive site assessment before any work begins. This aims to:
- Identify areas of high and low resilience
- Gain an idea of the kind and numbers of native fauna occupying the site
- Identify the native and weed species on site
- Gain an understanding of the past landuse and present influences that have degraded/ are continuing to degrade the site
- Use all of the above information to determine the most strategic, sensible and cost-effective approach
A genuine commitment to the site, or ‘caretaker’ approach. This means:
- Encouraging a sense of ‘connection’ with the site, whereby we want to do the best job possible
- Regular visits to ensure that the area is properly maintained, weeds are controlled before setting seed, etc.
- Regular monitoring and assessment to ensure that the work is moving in the right direction.
- A willingness to experiment with different techniques to achieve the best outcomes.
- Regular contact with the client and communication with residents living nearby to ensure that all the stakeholders are properly informed.
A sound strategic base upon which to work.
Too often it seems that bush regeneration projects lack an intelligent and well thought out strategy. Admittedly, every site is different, and requires an individual assessment, but the following principles can serve as a general guide to our approach to bush regeneration:
- Work with gravity – starting work from the top of a site means that the natives established here will spill down the slope, making it easier to regenerate the lower slopes. Conversely, weeds growing above an area of good or regenerating bush are likely to impact negatively upon it over time, in some cases, quite quickly.
- Ensure that the bushland in good condition remains that way – this should be the minimum aim of any bush regeneration effort.
- Prioritise the weeds which can overtake or change an area quickest – these may include vines, annuals, or particularly persistent or hard to control weeds such as Anredera, Acetosa and Ehrharta.
- Ensure that any primary clearing is restricted in size to an area that minimises the impact on fauna habitat and enables comprehensive follow up treatments to occur.
- Undertake high profile work around edges/along tracks where possible, to keep the public/local residents on side and interested in what is going on.
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