Help get rid of the dreaded bitou!

Join in Australia’s longest running bitou eradication project.

This year’s Crowdy Bay National Park bush regeneration camp will be held at Kylies Beach (10 minutes south of Laurieton, 30 minutes from Taree) from 13th-19th May. Community members are invited to attend and help to make the 40th year of the project a great success.

It all began in 1979 with a suggestion from then park ranger Mike Dodkin that the newly formed local branch of the National Parks Association (NPA) undertake some on-ground conservation work in the national park.

Before its park status the area was sand mined. On completion of mining operations the coast was sown with a South African plant, bitou bush that became highly invasive and the scourge of much of the NSW and Qld coastline. It completely altered coastal habitats.

Since its simple beginnings of 1-2 days per year of volunteer working bees the project has seen many government grants with aerial spraying of foredunes, on-ground work by contractors and thousands of hours of work by volunteers and NPWS. The fantastic achievements will be celebrated at the Laurieton United Services Club on the 18th May. All past and current volunteers are welcome.

Volunteer coordinator Sue Baker said, ‘as we have just completed a three-year grant program from the NSW Environmental Trust the need for volunteers to carry out follow up is greater than ever.’ NPWS supplies a trailer fully equipped with eating and cooking utensils and facilities. NPA provides a bbq on Saturday night.

So why not come along and contribute to the project’s fantastic achievements. Phone 6559 7134 for further information.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.