Softwood Scrub Project
DCCA in conjunction with Callide Valley Landcare have the opportunity to run a Softwood scrub workshop in the Wandoan / Taroom area.
Similar activities have been carried out in the Callide region with great interest and landholder participation.
Callide Valley Landcare responded to the increasing interest in and appreciation of softwood scrub by developing a Softwood Scrub project which has secured funding for the last couple of years.
The overarching focus of the project is to improve the survival of softwood scrub by:
1) improving local seed collection and storage,
2) developing a market which will supply softwood scrub seeds to a mine rehabilitation program which will provide an alternative income for primary producers
3) providing information on the most efficient and inexpensive way to regenerate softwood species to assist in developing carbon trading credits using locally and site appropriate species.
A similar project consisting of workshops in the Wandoan and Taroom area are planned to occur. The skills learnt at the workshop can be used to collect and protect other biodiversity.
Workshop will include:
* Identification of local softwood scrub communities
* Plant identification
* How to collect the best quality seed
* Seed collection techniques
* Seed preparation and storage techniques
* How to sell seed
* How to improve the health of softwood patches
Locations of softwood scrub are needed for the workshop to provided some on ground practical learning. If you would like to volunteer your softwood scrub please contact Andrea Beard with your details. Your scrub will receive inspection and one-on-one information sharing.
Softwood scrub sites will be inspected in July for suitability for the workshop, with the workshop planned for September/October.
Please email or phone in your name, address, phone number and property details for the Softwood Scrub workshop.
Andrea Beard, DCCA
0458448669
andreadcca@bigpond.com
Callide Project Website
Bushwalk a Success
A successful Bushwalk was achieved on the 31 October in Taroom. Everyone met at the windmill in Taroom after the Upper Dawson Wildlife Preservation Society’s AGM. We had people from Roma, Baralaba, the Rockhampton Branch Society for Growing Australian Plants Group, local landholders and general interested people join us for the bushwalk. Over 20 people joined the drive down the Leichhardt highway north of Taroom stopping at 4 locations to review remnant Ooline scrub, identify plants and discuss issues such as fire, weeds and the role of road side grazing to reduce the fire hazard. Adam Clark discussed the history of mother of millions in the area and the affect the South African citrus thrip has had on the mother of million populations. The Rockhampton Branch Society for Growing Australian Plants Group helped landholders and plant enthusiastic identify mystery plants that they bought along.
A big thank you to Jane Gray, Neil Hoy and the Rockhampton Branch Society for Growing Australian Plants Group for their knowledge and participation in the bushwalk, and a big thank you to Adam Clark for his help in organising the locations for the bushwalks.
We hope to have a follow up day in Wandoan in February 2010 about seed collecting if anyone is interested.
