Saturday 17 December 2016

A grant was received from NRM South to buy plants, tree guards and stakes to plant out a degraded area beside the car park and new track to Junee Cave. We decided to wait until the very wet ground conditions abated before planting, but when we arrived it was surprising how dry the soil had become.

The site is often abused by visitors who drive onto the surrounding area making it look unsightly, and there is ample evidence of camp fires. Two large logs were placed at the edge of the car park to prevent vehicle entry and then the open area planted out, mostly with Tea-tree, but a grouping of Melaleuca squamae was placed nearer the walking track and the other species Dogwood, was mostly toward the back and sides.

Two types of plant guard were used and it will be interesting to see if there is any difference of growth and plant resilience between them. An open steel mesh type (cost with 2 stakes $5.13 each) was used on about two thirds of the plants and a PVC model (cost with 3 stakes $3.02 each) on the remainder. Both are taller than standard sized ones used in past in an effort to make it harder for wallabies to browse.

It was most noticeable that two invading plant species are on the march towards the State reserve, namely Foxgloves and Oxeye daisy. Norske Skog pine plantation land and beyond has masses of Oxeye daisy. The Oxeye is very close and having a healthy native vegetation in the reserve is very helpful in combatting both these invaders.

The weather was predicted to be somewhat unpleasant but it was quite reasonable when we arrived. At morning break a few light drops fell but nothing came of it and some sun returned. Just as the work finished and packing up started a somewhat more substantial shower fell, so luck was with us. Following the work, we returned to the Mount Field visitor centre for a BBQ lunch provided by staff in appreciation of the group’s efforts during the year. The annual meeting of the Friends of Mount Field was also held during lunch

Reason for grant

Junee Cave carpark revegetation project

There is a new walking track to Junee Cave which starts next to Junee River and adjoining degraded parking area.

Purchase tree guards and purchase approx.50 assorted native plants and shrubs. This is to occur in Humboldt Ridge Regional Reserve which adjoins Junee Cave State Reserve and Mount Field National Park.

Purchase tree stakes to suit tree guards

Rehabilitation/revegetation of this area will continue to improve the habitat for threatened and endangered species including Tasmanian Devil, bandicoots and quolls. Protection of this habitat will also improve water quality. The volunteer group, Friends of Mt Field, and local Parks and Wildlife staff will plant these seedlings as a project to rehabilitate the banks of the Junee River.

A photo album is online

Click the image below

Finance

The grant, including GST, was for $495 and Expenses were $493.03

In-kind PWs labour is valued at

Admin $210

Site work $280 $490 (budget $450)

In-kind Friends of Mount Field is valued

Admin $368 (Purchasing, collecting plants, Other admin, Tending plants & writing report)

Volunteer site $1540 = $1908 (budget $700)l

Total $2398

Clearly the contribution put in was more than budgeted.