Landcare...good for your well-being

Weekly landcaring is back in full swing with 141hr of bushland regeneration already undertaken in January. It’s easy to see how 1982hr were achieved in the past year. The social and dedicated group have an inexhaustible passion which they are happy to share.
World Wetlands Day didn’t go by unnoticed, a productive landcare session was held at Puntei Creek Reserve, the new name for the landcare site previously known as Carey Bay Wetlands, and part of the larger Puntei Park.

In case you didn’t think landcaring was good for you, a 2019 study by the University of Exeter found spending at least two hours a week in nature may be a crucial threshold for promoting health and wellbeing. Dr Mat White, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the study, said: "It's well known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people's health and wellbeing but until now we've not been able to say how much is enough. The majority of nature visits in this research took place within just two miles of home so even visiting local urban greenspaces seems to be a good thing. Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit."

Landcare sessions are anytime from 8am till noon on Thursdays.

Can you find a Formosa Lily?

Local landcaring legend Lois has this to say…How lucky we are to have so many neighbours who support efforts in ecological restoration and management. The tossing of rubbish or garden refuse into our reserves is so rare and damage is so minimal the odd truck tyre or bicycle rims hardly dents our smile, and with a heave-ho to Clean Up Australia Day they went, along with an abandoned dinghy.

But today's excitement is about one particular milestone. As I walked along Coal Point ridge, I found just one Formosa lily to dig out. Just one! Over the years, locals have been looking out for this virulent pest, slowing its spread and removing it from their patch. Perseverance is paying off. Of course, the war is not won, but I feel we are almost there. Hurrah, Coal Point! Our little part of the world is in good hands.
A handy picture guide to removal is available for viewing below... just cutting off the flowers before they seed will stop their spread.