Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed (Society for Ecological Restoration 2004)
The goal of ecological restoration is full recovery, insofar as possible… in some cases, constraints may limit potential to less than full level of recovery. Such cases can still be referred to as ecological restoration projects as long as the aim is for substantial recovery relative to the appropriate local native reference ecosystem (Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia 2017).
In 2020 the Bushcare Group adopted a specific Ecological Restoration Plan for the upper catchment of Lawson Creek, Lawson, Blue Mountains. This catchment area is an important component of the entire bushcare site, and features some good stands of indigenous vegetation, and regular visitation by indigenous animals. Unfortunately though, dense infestations of Privet, Japanese Honeysuckle and Blackberry are also present. The Bushcare Group’s aspiration is to restore the catchment area to a condition that facilitates its ongoing ecological development and functioning as swamp, riparian and forest communities.
Wall of weeds, Waratah St ecological restoration area #3, August 2016 Photo: P ArdillDiversity and beauty, intact Waratah Street bushland, ecological restoration area #4, July 2016 Photo P Ardill
Click on an image to view features of the ecological restoration site
Ecological restoration area — measuring progress
Freshly recovered indigenous flora, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1March 2016 Photo: P Ardill …same area maintained and flourishing. Feb 2020 Photo: P Ardill The same grove, May 2023. Almost maintenance free. Natural regeneration of Hakea salicifolia (rhs) Photo: P Ardill Native grasses naturally regenerating in foreground, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1 April 2018 Photo: P Ardill…same area, almost maintenance free! Feb 2021 Photo: P ArdillEcological restoration area #2 swamp before blackberry treatment Dec 2018 Photo P Ardill…same area after blackberry treatment Jan 2021 Photo P Ardill
Before: Ecological restoration area #2 swamp with major weed infestation at centre-right Dec 2018; After: same area with weed infestation treated Dec 2021 Photos: P Ardill Primary bush regeneration work on Privets Waratah St east ecological restoration area #3 July 2022 Photo: K Hising BMCCCyathea australis Rough Tree Fern recovered from Privet infestation Waratah St east ecological restoration site #3 July 2022 Photo: K Hising
Before: Lawson Creek tributary east Waratah Street ecological restoration area #3 June 2022 After: numerous Rough Tree Ferns recovered after Privet removed October 2022 Photos: P Ardill
Healthy canopy of indigenous vegetation following removal of Privet ecological restoration area #4 Photo: P ArdillEcological restoration area #2 swamp looking west sediment controls, recent planting of Leptospermum polygalifolium Photo: P Ardill October 2022 Ecological restoration area #3 south of Waratah St looking west dense Privet J Honeysuckle Photo: P Ardill October 2022Recovering degraded area by planting Hakea salicifolia regeneration area # 4 Lawson stream tributary Photo: P Ardill 2023Herbicide treatment of weed Ginger Lily (Hedychium gardnerianum) ecological restoration area #4 Photo: P Ardill 2023
Planting of Hakea sp. and Leptospermum sp. in mini headcut ecological restoration area #1 May 2023 Photo: P Ardill
Replacement of Privet by planting of indigenous plants ER area #1 west. Limited natural regeneration Photo: P Ardill July 2023
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