• The group started in November 2008 under the supervision of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority at the Moss Vale office and was conceived to control the weeds (largely pine wildings and blackberries) in the Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve within Penrose State Forest.

• Work has since been extended to the adjacent riverine zones within Penrose State Forest now managed by the Forestry Corporation of NSW.

• The group has removed weeds from approximately 150 ha. of eucalypt woodland buffer zones between the swamps and the pine plantations. About 20 000 pine wildings have been felled and some large blackberry patches eliminated. Between 5 and 10 volunteers have carried out this work together with the support of the Wingecarribee Shire Council bushcare officers.

• The Group has had success in gaining financial support from the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment

Management Authority and Wingecarribee Shire Council for contract removal of large wildings and blackberries.

• A program of research and development to map the vulnerable Eucalyptus aquatica trees in the swamps together with some simple monitoring work to assess the native vegetation regrowth in the areas cleared of pine wildings.

• Geological and geomorphological mapping to elucidate swamp configuration and ecology.

• Building baseline datasets for future conservation work.

• Undertake work in the buffer zones of Hanging Rock Swamp concurrent with the continued maintenance of the buffer zones already cleaned.