Contributed by Robert Kooyman National Herbarium of NSW Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney You might ask why we need to use cutting edge science in restoration, and just what issues are so pressing that they require resolution using genomic tools to maximise the benefits of tree planting. After all, the trees seem to be growing just...
Big Scrub Landcare have appeared in the Journal of Australasian Science: Australia’s authority on science since 1938. Professor Ian Lowe’s article looks at the loss of biodiversity globally and highlights the positive impact that groups like Big Scrub Landcare are making. The article also refers to the Australian Science Policy Fellowship Program available for mid-career...
Contributed by Justin Mallee First the discovery. Marcel Proust wrote “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” While the eyes in this story are not new, they have had a renewed focus as part of the Saving our Species (SoS) Onion Cedar project. The result …...
Contributed by Jeremy Jones Image: Naskrecki’s bush katydid, Ozphyllum naskreckii, Minyon Falls. (Copyright Jeremy Jones, Instagram:@jeremycology). The fauna of the Big Scrub is often heard but rarely seen — this is especially so for its most diverse group of inhabitants — the insects. A summer bushwalk in a Big Scrub remnant can be a deafening experience. Thousands...
Contributed by Stephanie Lymburner In February 1968, Di Mercer drove her trusty Mini-Moke up the rutted Coolgardie Road. On impulse she parked and scrambled through a barbed wire fence. She walked through the tangle of Kikuyu and lantana to the crest of the hill. She gasped with delight at the vista that opened up before...
Shannon Greenfields of Big Scrub Landcare talks with Georgie Jones of Envite Environment about camphor conversion. Shannon: What are the options for landholders that want to get rid of camphor laurel on their property? Georgie: I would first advise that you get a suitably qualified and experienced bush regenerator to come and asses your site. ...
Contributed by Joy Window, Member – Big Scrub Landcare Grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) are familiar to many of us who have gardens – they eat pollen, nectar and fruit there when their wild sources of food are scarce. Because most of their wild habitat (including the Big Scrub) has been destroyed by humans, they...
Contributed by Ken Dorey, Big Scrub Landcare Dingy Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio anactus). Image provided courtesy of James Dorey. Butterflies do their best to get our attention but they seem doomed to be overshadowed by birds. Birds are bigger and louder but butterflies do have some advantages when it comes to identification. For a start, there...
Contributed by Darren Bailey, Big Scrub Landcare This report provides a summary of the bush regeneration work undertaken in Isoglossa eranthemoides habitat areas at Booyong Reserve during 2017-2018. The project was funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage Saving Our Species program. The report includes a description of the site, a summary of the...
Contributed by Joy Window, Member, Big Scrub Landcare What has large, hairy feet and lurks in the rainforest? No, not a yowie, but the southern myotis (Myotis macropus, aka the large-footed myotis or fishing bat). This bat has big feet for its size – while its wingspan may be 28 cm, its feet may be...
