Flora walk in July

I took a walk around the Habitat to see what was around, since Spring seems to be coming a bit early this year. 

Left from the Centre, past Nursery, down the bushland Amble to Mossy Boardwalk (where the frogs were very loud). Along to The Hub and then out onto the bike path, reentered via Middle Gate and down to Birdsong to check on the nesting birds.*See map below

To hear the birds, bees, frogs, rustling in the grasses and the sight of all these in flower was delightful.

  Highly recommend this part of the Habitat at this time of year especially.

 

No, the wombat didn't sit on these, but don't tell the Kids Club!

Spiny Matt Rush

Fire recovery

National Tree Day

 

 

National Tree Day at the habitat

 

 Locally we have several tree Day activities, including:

at the Habitat revegetating  where power poles were removed.

Trees in Newcastle are at Stockton

Corlette, Lemon tree Passage, Anna Bay just to name a few.

 

   What is National Tree Day?

 National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day combine to make Australia's biggest community tree-planting and nature care event. Co-ordinated by Planet Ark and proudly sponsored by Toyota, these are special days for all Australians to help out by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs to improve the environment in which they live. National Tree Day was co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Planet Ark in 1996 and since then more than 2 million volunteers have planted over 15 million native trees and shrubs! It's a day to get down and get your hands dirty to help the planet!

A short word about native plants

National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day promote planting and caring for native trees and plants. Australia is a massive continent. It is also a very old continent.  Australian plants have had a long time to adapt to local conditions. Transplanted to another site with a slightly different climate, an Australian plant could simply curl up and die OR it could establish itself as an invasive weed species and out-compete other native species in its new home. This then becomes a problem for local wildlife who have also adapted - to particular types of habitat and to particular food plants. The Cootamundra Wattle is an example of a native Australian species that has moved out of its local area to become a widespread weed.
At Planet Ark we believe it is important to maintain and support local bio-diversity. In places all around the world that people love to visit, plants bring their special colours, textures and smells to make those places unique. So we do not promote the planting of introduced species and we strongly recommend that sites are only planted under the supervision of an experienced and knowledgeable bush regenerator. Even in urbanized areas there can be remnant native plants that represent an important source of local biodiversity, often threatened by the pressures of urban living.

National Tree Day aims to inspire, educate and recruit Australians to actively care for our unique land and create future generations of committed environmental custodians.

Local Native Plants

There are many reasons why planting native plants that are local to your area (also known as local provenance) is important.

Planting for Climate Change

Plants help to combat climate change by locking up carbon, but there are more ways that native plants can help address the impacts of climate change.

Planting for Biodiversity

Before Climate Change was the "hot" topic in the environmental debate, the loss of biodiversity was internationally recognised as being the major threat facing the future of life on our planet.

Not local? Easy,  pop on over to Planet Ark to find a site near you

"No tree no me"

Sand Mining

 1960

Sand mining - Dredge

                 

Dredged material is combined with water and pumped through Cyclones

to separate heavy metals (Rutile, Titanium & Zircon) for use in both the

Medical and Industrial fields (Joint replacement or Paint manufacture)

                                                               

A dredge like this was used to clear Tilligerry Habitat in the 1960's

               

There was little rehabilitation done by mining companies afterwards   

Straw Bale Building

We are very proud of our Straw Bale building. 

Not only does it keep us warmer in Winter and cooler in Summer, due to the construction and cross ventilation, it is the home, not only of our office, workshop, Information Centre but a great meeting place and the perfect size to cater for tour groups.

 
 

 That is a lot of straw!

A new male

We had a lovely visitor today

He (very definitely a he) walked over to the school and managed to get under the fence.

He then ran rather quickly

over to a tree, climbing very well,  where he spent the rest of the day.

Nice clean bottom, clear eyes and very healthy looking.

We are hoping he will become a permanent resident to take over the throne of "Dude" at the Sailing Club.

Not that we like to see him dethroned but since males live about 10 years in the wild and Dude is already 9 he is approaching that time in his life.

At the moment this one does not have a name so if you do recognise him please let us know.

(more white on rump than shows in this picture)

Thank you Bev Caddy for the lovely photos and showing him to the visitors

Planting for wildlife in your area

 Want to encourage wildlife into your gardens?

Or perhaps encourage them away from the house?

I have come across a site that covers all areas across Australia and is easy to use.

You can (for free) sign up and plan a garden with plants Native to your area, check these with your local Native Nursery.

There are fact sheets on attracting frogs, lizards, birds, mammals, butterflies, native bees, bird baths, nest boxes and how to care for your native plants in various soil types.

As well as a host of information for schools, educational resources and links to helpful, up to date information. 

So why not give it a go and see what you can come up with?

I found out why I have so many tree frogs - Lophostemon confertus (Brush Box)

and I thought the butterflies were stunning around this tree!

Create a garden

 

Any questions about Native plants for our local area pop in and speak to 

Charlie in our Nursery

Phone: 02 40 845677

Or

Contact 

Trees in Newcastle

http://www.treesinnewcastle.org.au/page19194/Local-Native-Plants.aspx

 252 Parry Street,
Newcastle West, 2302 

Phone: (02) 4969 1500

Local Provenance is the term used to describe native plant populations that naturally occur in a given area, so help protect our Native Bushland and look into what to plant where.

It is a small step that makes a huge difference!

Lynne and caring for her Mum

 For those interested in what I do in my "spare time" pop on over and have a look.

http://tiilipeninsula.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-look-after-my-mother.html