Local Bushland discovery – Roadsides!
Local Bushland discovery – Roadsides!
Don't forget about the bush on the roadsides in your area. Its wonderful remnant vegetation.
Community Participation -
NSWLP-011-037
The issue
When looking around your local landscape for bushland people often look for National Parks, State Forests, remnant vegetation on farms or beside rivers. In agricultural areas where the land is used for cropping and livestock pursuits the land on the roadsides and in TSR’s are often overlooked. The roadside vegetation is not valued as an asset in the local vegetation space. Roadside surveys were produced many years ago but are not easily accessible for council and landholders to view. Significant Roadside Vegetation signs are minimal in some areas which leads to vegetation being cleared without consultation (e.g. around Leeton and Coleambally)
The solution
Getting people together is an important part of protecting roadside vegetation. Local Landcare Coordinator Kathy Tenison noted concerns of locals about vulnerable native bush on Leeton’s roadsides.
Bringing together a knowledgeable team consisting of Eric Whiting who conducted the Leeton surveys, Dick Green who with others compiled a native revegetation guide and local bird expert Max O’Sullivan who knows the correlation between birds and their nesting and feeding sites and there is some great discussion. Add the local Weeds Manager Jeremy Crocker and there is a wealth of knowledge and information to transfer to those who care for the environment.
The impact
Seventeen people attended a wonderful workshop sharing their experiences about local bushland on roadsides and TSR’s. They gained a deeper understanding of mapping that has been done historically for the whole of NSW by Beadle (1945) and how it was complemented by local surveys by Eric Whiting (1994). Having this baseline survey on vegetation species, demonstrated to younger members of the community how these vulnerable sites were monitored in the past. Site assessment sheets were used to establish a bushland health rating for the vegetation which can now be used to monitor for deterioration and plan for action.
Key facts
- Research local areas to find baseline historical surveys on Significant Roadside Vegetation.
- Engage with the local council and NSW Roadside Environment Committee to erect signs of Significant Roadside Vegetation.