Landcare

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. - Greek proverb

Landcare Bushwalk - Friday 6 April

Each year Landcare Committee members walk right around the village precinct on Good Friday to assess the state of the vegetation and revise estimates of what needs to be done. There is absolutely no weeding and it is a great walk for any one else who likes walking and if you are new to the area, it is a great introduction to the highways and byways of Rosedale. Plant identification, bird spotting, nature notes, other useful information, all imparted — free. Children are especially welcome. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come. It takes about two hours (don't forget good foot wear, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat (not cap) and water bottle). Only heavy rain will cancel it. You will need to check with me on the time — it could change to accommodate the maximum number of Committee members — 4471 8471 is my Rosedale number.

The meeting point will be the foot bridge crossing Saltwater Creek — 2pm Good Friday.
David Mackenzie

Your Landcare contacts:

Ian Holmes 4471 7252 or

Gordon Bray 6161 5177 or

Mike Freer 6295 6344 or

Adrian Lewis 9398 2603 or

David Mackenzie 6288 6194 or 4471 8471 or

Sea Spurge — an invasive coastal weed

Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias) is an invasive beach weed that originated from the Mediterranean. It was probably introduced to Australia in ships' ballast about 70 years ago. It first appeared in Western Australia and is now found throughout south-eastern Australia and has invaded Shoalhaven and other NSW South Coast beaches. Small numbers of plants have recently been seen washed up at Guerilla Bay. A single plant can produce up to 5000 salt-tolerant seeds which can survive in ocean currents for some years. A large colony of Sea Spurge grows densely and threatens nesting shore birds.

Control may be achieved by hand weeding provided that the entire tap root is extracted. Removal is relatively easy. The plant should be bagged to prevent seed dispersal.

And a warning: If the stem of Sea Spurge is broken it oozes a milky sap which can irritate the skin. So avoid direct contact by wearing plastic gloves, prevent eye contact by wearing protective glasses, and wash the hands after handling.

For more information see The National Parks and Wildlife Service Media Release

A dense colony of Sea Spurge (Click for a larger image)	Sea Spurge plant (Click for a larger image)

Rosedale Weed Management is Jane Lemann's manual describing weeds found at Rosedale. It suggests controls using accepted National Trust methods of bush regeneration easily applied to all properties. The document has links to the Eurobodalla Shire Council's South Coast Weeds database. See also the Links page for sources of information on Bush Regeneration