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    Saturday, 4 July 2009   |  8ºC – Fair   |  Telephone: 02 9777 1000

Bushcare

What is Bushcare?

Northarm Bushcare group North Arm Bushcare group

Bushcare is a community based program made up of volunteers who, supported and assisted by Council, help regenerate and preserve bushland that is owned or managed by Council.

There are currently 33 Bushcare groups, 6 Parkcare Groups, 4 Streetcare Groups, 1 roving Bushcare Group (the Flying Squad) and 1 roving Lanecare Group. Meeting times vary between groups, but most meet once a month. There are also around forty individual volunteers who work in the bushland. To see where these groups operate, download this map:  Bushcare Groups Map 2009 - 454 KB.

Bushcare volunteers are essential to caring for Willoughby’s bushland. The groups have a specific Action Plan for each site (developed to the objectives in the Bushland Management Plan), and are provided with free direction, training, technical advice, tools, plants, newsletters, celebrations and other support from Council.

Volunteers learn new skills, increase their knowledge of the environment, meet their neighbours and make new friends. They are making a real contribution and difference to the health of the local environment.

You can read more about Bushcare in the Bushcare Program.

What kind of things have Bushcare done?

Bushcare groups participate in activities such as planting and weed management, with a goal of helping to restore our natural bushland. 

You can watch a video of one of the Bushcare groups -   North Arm Bushcare Group - 5,110 KB.

Bushcare also publish a newsletter every quarter which cover current projects which groups are working on, and recent achievements. You can read these online, subscribe to recieve them by email, or alternately contact the Bushcare Co-Ordinator on 9777 7875 to recieve a printed copy.

Case Studies

As part of Willoughby City Council's high standards in bushland management, Bushcare provides site-level ecological improvements to more sites than could be accommodated within Council's bushland budget. See some case studies of Bushcare's achievements below:

How can I get involved?

Anyone aged between fifteen and ninety can join. Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses can participate by:

  • Creating bush friendly gardens
  • Joining bush regeneration programs
  • Propagating local native plants
  • Sponsoring a project
  • Educating and being educated about the environment.

To get more information or to join, please call Council’s Bushcare Co-Ordinator on 9777 7875 or email bushcare@willoughby.nsw.gov.au.

If you are interested in attending meetings, you can download the meetings schedule for 2008 -  BushCare, ParkCare, StreetCare and Community Garden Meeting Dates - 32 KB. 

Other ways that you can help Willoughby's environment are by Taking It Personally.

Council needs Bushcare. Bushland in Willoughby is fragmented and generally found in gullies and around creeks. It has been greatly disturbed by development, and weeds are rife. While Council staff and contractors work on numerous sites, the problems are too big for Council to manage alone. Community involvement is essential if Willoughby’s bushland is to be healthy, and it also gives residents the chance to learn about their area and take ownership and responsibility for the environment.