Group convenor: Janet Mangan
This Habitat Brisbane Group was restarted in 2019 under the leadership of Janet Mangan. The group meets every second Wednesday morning from 7.30 – 9.30 am.
This site features good remnant dry rainforest, in particular an enormous Hard Quandong (Elaeocarpus obovatus), and other creek species including Weeping Lilli Pilli, Black Bean, Green Kamala, Native Grape vine, Stephania, Smilax, Jagera, Guioa and Australian Ebony. With help from Brisbane City Council, the group tackled a heavy infestation of Cat’s Claw behind Payne Road State School and is tackling other weeds to preserve the remaining indigenous vegetation and encourage its regeneration.
For more information and dates for working bees phone Janet Mangan on 0499 814 030.
Follow the group’s activities on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas-Park-Gap-Central-Bushcare-Group-325135072236766
History
Until recently, Lyn Martinez was the group leader of The Gap Central Habitat Group based at Nicholas Park. Nicholas Park runs along the creek opposite the back of The Gap State High School.
Ten years ago all the trees along the creek edge were covered by cats claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati. A native of tropical Central and South America, cats claw can smother and pull down tall trees.
At the first working bee in May 2007, volunteers removed the cats claw and other weeds to reveal many important native trees such as Weeping Lilly Pilly Waterhousea floribunda Queensland ebony Diospyros geminata and a huge hard quandong Elaeocarpus obovatus. The group planted more natives along the edge of the park to protect the remnant trees. They also planted native species in the middle of the park with the help of the conservation volunteers.
