Friends gather at Ropes Creek

29 July 2009, 12:17pm

Local residents, the Garske family get involved in the tree planting

Over 400 native shrubs were planted last weekend at Ropes Creek, North St Marys by Friends of Ropes Creek and other local residents in an effort to establish a restore bushland corridor under the powerlines in the area.

Leaders and pupils from the local 1^st St Marys Scout group and members of the Islamic Practice and Da'wah Circle also pitched in to help.

Rebecca Mooy, Landcare Support Officer with the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority, said that over 35 local community members joined in the tree planting.

"The bushland along Ropes Creek is an important corridor for wildlife. It provides habitat for a range of birds from small woodland birds to emus, and Kangaroos are also often seen. The bushland is a remnant of Cumberland Plain Woodland, an ecological community only found in Western Sydney," said Ms Mooy.

Following the planting Nic Pagnamenta from Penrith Council took the group on an enjoyable walk through the bush and along the creek to learn about the large variety of native plants and weeds.

"A few tips to remember the names of our native plants include crushing the leaves of the Eucalyptus. If they smell like bubble gum, the tree is likely to be a Stringybark. The native vine clematis has the common name Old Mans Beard because of the bushness of the flowers, and trees with dark furrowed bark are unmistakably Ironbark trees," said Mr Pagnamenta.

John Diamond, from the Friends of Ropes Creek group, said the group is always interested in welcoming new members.

"We always want help to acheive creating more habitat for the woodland birds, and tackling the spread of one of the most invasive weeds in this bushland, African Love grass," said Mr Diamond.

If you missed the opportunity to help out you can participate in another plant morning at Tregear Reserve on Saturday 1^st August. The planting is a great way to help the local environment and bushcare group and meet some new friends.

"The planting morning will begin at 9am and finish at noon, volunteers can meet the group at Tregear Reserve off Wilkes Road, behind the baseball diamonds." said the HNCMA's Rebecca Mooy.

For more information or to RSVP to the tree planting day, please contact Carolyn Adamcewicz at Blacktown Council on 02 9839 6074. The Friends of Ropes Creek group meet on the 3^rd Saturday of the month from 9am till noon to get involved contact Janet Rannard on 02 4732 8088 at Penrith Council.