Bushcare celebrates its 25th birthday
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Published on 04 December 2018
The City of Hobart’s Bushcare program celebrated 25 years of operation last week, Sunday 2 December, at the community hub on the Queen’s Domain.
A chance to thank volunteers and supporters, the special event included lunch, speeches and the cutting of a birthday cake.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds presented this year’s Golden Secateurs Award, which recognised an outstanding Bushcare volunteer for their contributions to the care and protection of Hobart’s bushland reserves.
“Part perspiration, part inspiration, the success of Bushcare proves the power of community action. It is a remarkable success story that recognises the value and strength of volunteers,” said the Lord Mayor.
The award this year was given to Janet Stone from the South Hobart Bushcare Group, who said, “I’m very humbled that I’ve been noticed.”
Janet has been a volunteer since 2001 and a tireless convenor for the past seven years. She’s brought a lot of new ideas to the group, proposing activities including history walks, orchid explorations, wildflower walks, birdwatch activities and even a collaboration with the South Hobart Dog Walkers
She’s driven by a strong sense of responsibility, explaining, “I just feel God has given me a passion for the environment and stewardship for his creation.”
Bushcare was established when a group of South Hobart residents became the first in urban Australia to attract Landcare funding, using it to restore bushland on a steep, eroded bank. The City supported their efforts, laying the groundwork for the program.
There are now thirteen volunteer Bushcare groups working in reserves across Hobart. They help to maintain and conserve bushland habitat, restore degraded areas by planting native trees and shrubs, and remove invasive weeds that would otherwise choke local flora and threaten wildlife.
This year Bushcare volunteers have racked up over 2800 hours of work, attacking weeds in the City’s bushland reserves, mopping up after the devastating May floods and planting trees.