International Day of Forests 21/3/17

This year’s IDF theme of Forests and Energy is a reminder of how our urban forests impact upon our energy consumption. Do you remember the heat of summer? Strategically placed trees can cool the air between 2 to 8 degrees.

As we turn the seasonal tide autumn preparations to keep warm in winter and the energy efficiency of wood heaters are worth considering. Dry wood has double the energy value of wet wood, which holds up to 50% moisture, it takes a year of storage to dry wood. A clean flue aids combustion and reduces harmful gas build up, flues should be cleaned annually, and if you don’t want all the heat to go up in smoke insulate everything, walls, floors, ceilings and windows.

Buying ethically sourced wood is a way of protecting our local forests too. Please help protect our community’s public forest assets and leave the local wood in the reserves where it falls, it creates habitat and recycles valuable nutrients.

Our local Open Spotted Gum Forests provide another kind of energy too, a sense of well being that flows from fresh air, abundant birdlife, serenity and beauty. 

Have you been for a stroll along the West Ridge recently?

There’s a track off Whitelocke Street and you can experience some of the best Open Forest around here. If you’re partial to water tanks you might like to take a happy snap of the old water tank, which is set to be decommissioned and taken away this financial year.

Another eye-opening local forest walk is in the reserve off Stansfield Close. Recently a U3A group were guided along the Garden Path to see the difference a fire makes. To the south the impacts of garden escapes such as Asparagus fern, to the north a diversity of plants not seen in a very long while rising like a phoenix from the ashes.

Our public reserves, our local forests, are continually being expanded by LMCC acquiring land. The CPPA has recently followed up on the 2016 AGM resolution to sell a portion of its land to LMCC to expand Stansfield Reserve. 

Are you going to celebrate World Forests Day?

Why not plant a tree and support the long distance pollinators in our area or attend one of the workshops LMCC libraries are hosting. RSVP to library.lakemac.com.au. or ring the host library.

Planting for pollinators: Build your knowledge on local species to attract birds, bees and butterflies to enhance your habitat and vegetable gardens. Mon 20 March - 5.30-7.30pm Cardiff Library p:4954 8575

Birdscaping your garden : Build your knowledge on local native species to plant in your garden to attract nectar eating birds.
Tues 21 Mar - 10am-12. Swansea Library p:4921 0780

Gardening with local native plants: Discover plants that are local to our area and where they will thrive to recreate native habitat including bush tucker species.
Wed 22 Mar - 1.30-3.30pm Belmont Library p:4945 4329

Your native garden, encouraging frogs and dragonflies: Build your knowledge on key components required to maximise opportunities for frogs, dragonflies and other beneficial critters.
Tues 4 April - 6-8pm: Charlestown Library p:4943 5555
Wed 5 April - 10am-noon: Morisset Library p:4973 1248