Blue gum forest spotlight, Deanei Reserve

by Nathan Summers, Bushcare Officer

On a warm November evening towards the end of 2025, a group of local Bushcare volunteers got together with some of our local fauna experts, and had a great evening discovering the wildlife of Deanei Reserve, the remnant blue gum forest at Springwood.

Many thanks to Graham Turner who led us through the event with his excellent understanding of fauna, animal behaviour and the bushland. We also thank other local fauna enthusiasts Nicola Goodwin and Andrew Klotz who helped us and took many photos, as well as environmental educator Sue Price.

Twelve local Bushcare volunteers joined the occasion, and we were blessed with a fascinating evening observing and learning about insects, frogs, mammals and birds while walking through the blue gums, grey gums and Turpentine Forest. Some of the highlights included finding a ringtail possum with a baby on its back, a sugar glider, and a brushtail possum. We also found a tawny frogmouth, Peron’s tree frog and were treated to a lesson on a number of bush insects including the blue eyes lacewing, bush and bark cockroaches, huntsman and St Andrews Cross spiders, crickets, beetles, ants and planthoppers.

It was indeed a fruitful and educational evening, showing what comes alive in our shale blue gum forests at night time. Thanks to our local fauna enthusiasts Graham, Nicole, Andrew and Sue for bringing this to life.

Popes Glen Bushcare NPWS combined gorse event

On a cold and misty Saturday morning in late May, four hardy Popes Glen volunteers met two Bushcare Officers (James and Michael) at the end of Connaught Road, Blackheath. The phone calls had started at around 7 am with the NPWS and BMCC staff discussing the weather and if we should cancel. It didn’t look promising!

By 8.50 am, with the BMCC crew assembled, the rain had stopped and there was even a hint of sun. Two cakes were delivered for the after-lunch dessert, so we had no excuse but to head into Popes Glen. Everything was soaked by the rain and the mist, so the vegetation was looking lush and amazing. The plan was for Popes Glen Bushcare volunteers to head upstream from the BMCC Reserve and National Park boundary whilst the NPWS volunteers worked downstream.

We headed upstream to a known gorse hotspot, but first Paul Vale described the area we were in and how it looked just after the 2019/20 bushfires. We all marvelled at the lush scene before us given the burnt landscape Paul described in early 2020 when the Reserve re-opened after the fire and then the flooding rains. The skeletons of mountain ash trees killed by the fire was the only obvious sign of the impact visible today. Paul also described the gorse and broom plants that germinated in their thousands but quickly pounced on by contracted bush regenerators, BMCC Natural Area Operations staff and Bushcare volunteers.

Then we took the plunge into the thick regrowth and damp creek-side vegetation. Once we got our eyes in, we noticed a few gorse, and leeches, and the odd broom and blackberry. Apart from a Tim Tam break at morning tea, we worked steadily up the creek removing the weeds as we went. By the time we reached Clarence Street we had added Himalayan honeysuckle and agapanthus to the species removed list. All up approximately 200 mostly gorse plants were removed from the BMCC reserve.

This was a significant reduction in the number of plants compared to last year with a continuing decline in gorse each year since the fire, indicating how effective the initial and continued efforts of gorse control have been.

Thank you to Monica and NPWS for a delicious lunch at the end. By 1.30 pm the rain had set in again. Thank you to everyone on the day and those that were part of the GGWW previously. Your hard work is definitely paying off.

— Michael Smith, Bushcare Team Leader

Vibrant Blue Mountains: From World Heritage to a Sustainable Future

Vibrant Blue Mountains: From World Heritage to a Sustainable Future, by Michael Kindler

Local Leura Bushcare volunteer and author Dr Michael Kindler has written a compelling new book which explores how the mountains have fared environmentally, economically and culturally since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Species of plants and animals that are vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or extinct are listed. The book also charts the transition of the Blue Mountains from a beloved National Park to an internationally valued ecological marvel.

The title reflects how the Blue Mountains have become energised over the last 25 years and shows how the community has developed and what challenges are now faced. Five richly illustrated chapters outline the severe impacts of extreme weather events, such as bushfires and severe inundation, on water quality and park management.

The author champions ‘natural capital’ and asserts legal rights of nature by applying the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Kindler offers a roadmap to ensure the park’s sustainability for future generations.

The book is available from local bookshops, the visitor information centres at Echo Point and Glenbrook, and in the Katoomba Cultural Centre.

–Michael Smith, Bushcare Team Leader

Living Near the Bush

by Peter Ardill, Blue Mountains Conservation Society

As all bushcarers are aware, the proximity of our local bushland to residential areas comes with advantages and disadvantages. Great bush walks can be found just around the corner, but urban areas are a source of many degrading impacts, including pollution, erosive stormwater flows and — you wouldn’t believe it — environmental weeds!

Bushcare is a dynamic community environmental activity, but it is not the only way that residents can contribute to the health of local nature and the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Blue Mountains Conservation Society has recently published a free sixty-page booklet, Living Near the Bush: How to support nature in the Blue Mountains.

Packed with practical advice, the easy-to-read format is an added bonus. Local artist, Fiona Lumsden, ecologist Ian Baird and photographers Alan and Dianne Page have contributed delightful illustrations.

The booklet has the health of nature well covered. There are literally hundreds of tips and suggestions about how you can help to keep our local bushland and streams in top shape.

With approximately 35,000 houses occupying the Blue Mountains, if local residents were to adopt even some of the environmentally friendly practices outlined in Living Near the Bush, the environmental benefits would be enormous.

Spring is a great season for Bushcare, and also a nice time to tuck into a good read!

The booklet is available in an easily accessed online flip-book style, or PDF download. A limited number of print copies are available at Conservation Society events.

The passing of Bob Chapman

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of one of our longer term Bushcare volunteers, Bob Chapman. Bob, who was born in 1943, lived at Glenbrook for many years, and had much to do with Bushcare and environmental activities in the lower Mountains and Lapstone area.

He had been involved with Darks Common Landcare since its inception in 2004 and had much involvement in other land restoration in the lower mountains as well.

His wife Kathy, as a community member, was involved in the development of early planning for the Eastern
Escarpment, both Kathy and Bob being instrumental in much of the environmental outcomes for this plan.

Bob was very knowledgeable and purposeful, yet quiet natured, which led to achievements with subtlety. He
was a deep methodical scientific thinker. One of Bob’s great lifelong passions was astronomy, something he
had partaken since his younger years. This included constructing lenses for his telescopes, glass making
being another occupation of his. He had a knack of finding a way to make something happen when there was an idea or a project to do.

He worked in the building industry as a materials technician for many years at Parramatta, and also in the UK and Queensland, including timber and glass.

Later coming to Glenbrook in the lower Mountains where both Kathy and Bob have been involved in many projects together.

Bob had a friendly, pleasant disposition, always being someone good to be around, and an asset to a Bushcare group. He was passionate about the environment and had achieved much in the Blue Mountains in a quiet, considered way. We appreciate what Bob has done, and our thoughts go out to Kathy and his family.

A quote from Bob:

When I am gone, don’t look to the ground to remember me, look to the stars. It is the components of the stars where we all come from.

Save the Date – Bushcare Thankyou Picnic and Awards Ceremony 2025!

Address: 116 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley

Date: Saturday 30 August 2025

Time: 11.30am to 3.30pm

A wonderful day full of gratitude to thank our volunteers for their efforts. Featuring lunch, an awards ceremony, trivia, a cake competition and an interpretative walk. Transport on the community bus is available. Bookings online are essential for catering and to book your place on the bus. Follow the QR Code or click the link for full details and to RSVP.

https://bushcarebluemountains.org.au/event/bushcare-thankyou-picnic-sun-valley-reserve/

Bushcare Thankyou Picnic 2024

The picnic was a whirlwind of fun! This year the annual thank you picnic was held at Peter Carroll Oval in Katoomba, a new location for us as we celebrated the achievements of our bushcare community and beyond.

Due to high demand, we ran a Bushcare Trivia this year with questions composed from our very own quiz wizz bushcare collective of volunteers. We had a number of winners with first place going to Gun Gun Bushcare and consolatory prizes going to Warrimoo Weed Warriors, Deanei, Sublime Point and Medlow Bath – Congratulations!

It was the perfect year to run our kite making workshop, with 80km winds creating a beautifully chaotic aerial act of colour and lots of laughter (and much kite chasing).

The popularity of the cake competition saw the Bushcare Bake Off make a return. Volunteers showcased their culinary creations with the theme of spring! This saw the incorporation of colour, flowers, fruit and ants. This year’s winner of the golden knife (doubling as a popular weeding tool) went to 9-year-old Ivy Sambrooke Power. Moving forward we will be looking at changing the prize to something sweeter.

We celebrated the achievements of groups and individuals with the annual award ceremony. A big congratulations to the following awardees

Bushcare Legend – Karleen Waldron

Masters – Bob Taylor

Hard Yakka – Kit Stavert

Landcare Legend – Dennis Whye

Environmental Warrior – Sable Munro Davies

Junior Bushcare Award – Ivy Sambrooke Power

The special awards went to Lithgow Community Nursery, Jill Dark and Drs Judy and Peter Smith. This category recognises and acknowledges the contributions of these individuals and organisations to our Bushcare program.

Milestone Awards:

35 years – Friends of Katoomba Falls Creek

30 years – Redgum Park and Deanei Reserve

25 years – Jackson Park and Mt Wilson

20 years – Darks Common

15 years – Leura Public School and Upper Kedumba

10 years – Birriban

5 years – Valley View Swampcare and Woody Weed Wanders Group

A big thank you to WIRES for sharing some important information about those we share our bush backyard with, the Blue Mountains Women’s Shed for their amazing logistics, energy and enthusiasm in helping with the catering. Thank you to the Leura Catchment Group and Fitzgerald Catchment Group for sharing all the work you have been doing as well as the Healthey Waterways team and your amazing waterbug set up as well as being apart of our community in getting the next generation involved with bushcare through your Connect to Nature schools program.

Another exciting year complete, with another to come! Thank you

*More to see and read in the Summer Edition of the Gecko*

Celebrating the 25th Birthday of Council’s Waterway Health Monitoring Program

For any Bushcare volunteers that have an interest in monitoring of waterways of the Blue Mountains, please see the invitation below.

“The Healthy Waterways Team would like to invite members of the Bushcare network to join them in celebrating the 25th Birthday of Council’s Waterway Health Monitoring Program.

The celebrations will be on Wednesday 16 October from 11am – 1.30pm in the Seminar Room at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. There will be a forum with expert speakers, followed by a lunch.

For more details, and to register, visit Eventbrite. Places are limited, so get in now to avoid missing out.”

Biodiversity Discovery Day this weekend!

We’re hosting in partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water (DCCEEW) a biodiversity discovery day at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre this Saturday 14th Sept, 10am – 2:30pm, where we wish to celebrate the vibrant biodiversity of the Blue Mountains.

It is coming together of science, art, culture and passion where you can meet eco-heroes from state and local organisations. Learn simple , enjoyable and practical eco-friendly actions.

There will be frogs, waterbugs, plant pressing and talks delivered by the DCCEEW threatened species team on projects being undertaken in the Blue Mountains.

Come and support local artists and check out the disruptor exhibition followed by a performance on the day with Scott Marr.

Disruptor: for all that matters

We hope to see you there!

Bioidiversitry Day SpeakersDescription
Jane Rodd
Team Leader, Ecosystems and Threatened Species, Greater Sydney DCCEEW.		Callistemon megalongensis talk:
Callistemon megalongensis (Megalong Valley Bottlebrush) and Callistemon purpurascens are critically endangered species that occur in highly restricted areas within the Blue Mountains region. Saving our Species is working to conserve these bottlebrush species, and we partner with Council, landholders, and local communities to manage habitat and monitor populations, to ensure that these precious plants remain secure in the wild into the future.
Claudia Pilon – Summons
Assistant Project Officer Threatened Species, Ecosystems and Threated Species, Greater Sydney DCCEEW.		Zieria convenyi talk:
Zieria covenyi (Covenyi’s Zieria) is an endangered shrub known from only two populations in the Blue Mountains. These populations were heavily impacted by the 2019­–20 bushfires, with only a few plants left unburnt. Since then, Saving our Species has been working with Blue Mountains City Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Botanic Gardens Sydney to establish insurance populations using cutting edge genetic research. This project has demonstrated the importance of multi-agency collaboration for securing threatened species for generations to come.

Fungi monitoring program talk:
NSW is one of only four jurisdictions in Australia that lists fungi under threatened species legislation. This includes one critically endangered fungi community and 9 threatened fungi species, more than half of which are known to occur in the Blue Mountains. Saving our Species conducts annual monitoring and surveys to collect new records of threatened fungi. With the help of Blue Mountains City Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service, we restore and maintain vital habitat in the region, and fungi enthusiasts around the state have assisted in gaining valuable insights into these unique entities.

JUST AROUND THE CORNER: Bushcare Thankyou Picnic – August 31 (Katoomba)

  • Saturday 31 August 2024
  • 11:30am – 3:30pm
  • Peter Carroll Field, Katoomba

The 2024 Annual Thankyou Picnic and Awards Ceremony will be held for the first time at Peter Carroll Field, Katoomba this year.

The cake competition is back! Let your culinary creativity go crazy! with SPRING theme designs. This year you are all the judges! with the peoples choice determining who should win the Golden Knife.

Competition details:

  • The following information will be needed upon entry: Name of cake, Cake creator adn Ingredients list (for dietary requirements)
  • A designated Bushcare officer will be accepting cakes at our cake competition table. This will be located near the amenities building. Please advise if your cake needs refrigeration (limited spots available).
  • Entry into the cake competition closes at 1pm.
  • People’s choice votes will be counted after 1:30pm with the winner of the golden knife being announced during the award ceremony afterwhich, everyone will be able to enjoy the cakes.

The bus will be running this year to transport those who need a lift. Please book your place on the bus when you RSVP.

RSVP HERE: https://www.bushcarebluemountains.org.au/event/bushcare-thankyou-picnic-peter-carroll-field-katoomba/