Ambitious environmental project completed

Blue Mountains City Council congratulates the Popes Glen Bushcare Group for their efforts in completing a remarkable environmental restoration project. 

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said, “This project was ambitious to say the least. The group has restored the ecological integrity of a highly degraded landscape over a six year period.”   Located across the road from the Blackheath Memorial Park duck pond, the project has been a successful collaboration between the volunteers of the Popes Glen Bushcare group, the Blue Mountains Bushcare Network, BMCC, local bush regeneration contractor ‘The Bush Doctor’, local businesses, and funding from the NSW Environmental Trust.

Dr Alan Lane, Coordinator of Popes Glen Bushcare Group, a pioneer group of the Blue Mountains Bushcare program, said, “Approximately 65 volunteers have contributed an impressive 4,257 hours to the project since 2012. 

“We are very proud of this achievement. Our strength was working together using evidence-based learning to implement an adaptive management approach to wetland management and restoration, which is now widely recognised in the environmental management field.”

This project has successfully: •    Removed one hectare of willows from an unstable sediment flat at the creek headwaters  •    Pioneered innovative stormwater control strategies to enable weed removal and reduce pollutants and sediment flows to the National Park •    Engaged with over 600 students, residents  and professionals •    Led to two scientific publications by the group and •    Generated significant interest from stormwater engineering professionals and students.  

“The success of this complex project is testimony to the skill, commitment and calibre of your volunteer members and the support team of Council staff and local contractors”, said the Mayor.

This project was made possible by the generous funding and support of the NSW Environmental Trust to the value of $233,000, with financial and in-kind support from Council.

The Mayor said, “The efforts of this long standing Bushcare group exemplify the Bushcare spirit and the proud history of community involvement in conservation and land management in the Blue Mountains.”

Information on how to become a community conservation volunteer is available at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/envirovolunteers

Photo: Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill (far right) congratulates the Popes Glen Bushcare Group and supporters for completing an ambitious environmental restoration project over a six year period.