Community planting at Whitecross environmental reserve

Article by Nadia Joyce, community conservation officer, Sunshine Coast Council

On Sunday 28 October 2018, 56 people planted 760 plants at Whitecross environmental reserve in Bli Bli. This is part of an offset project to replace vegetation removed during the construction of the Buderim men’s shed in Kuluin.

The Buderim men’s shed group have held regular working bees since August to get the site ready for this community planting. 20 adults, 17 children and 18 Buderim men’s shed volunteers joined in on the day to get all of the plants in the ground and watered, in under an hour.

Everyone enjoyed morning tea before Geckoes Wildlife showed a range of local animals including a python, squirrel glider, goanna, tawny frogmouth and green tree frog. The kids had lots of questions and were excited to have the 3m long python slide over their legs so that they could feel its powerful muscles. Participants then had the option to go for a walk along the walking track to learn about local plant species and birds.

Whitecross Road environmental reserve measures a combined area of 7.68ha and is located between the southern border of Parklakes estate and Whitecross Road. It has a maintained walking track and provides an important vegetation corridor for local wildlife.

If you are interested in getting involved in the ongoing maintenance of this site, please email bushcare@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.