Egg Islands working bee
Wet weather didn’t stop 12 enthusiastic volunteers from spending their weekend helping TLC to manage the weed threat at Egg Islands Reserve in Franklin on the 6th and 7th August.
The Egg Islands support the largest remnant of black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) woodland in southern Tasmania. This vegetation community is both rare and endangered, thanks to its habitat preference of productive fertile floodplains. Spanish heath has invaded four hectares of TLC’s Egg Islands Reserve, and can outcompete native plants, including black gums.
After assessing the weed threats to the islands in 2008, volunteers and staff have worked hard over the last two years to control the Spanish heath infestation at the northern end of Egg Islands, which covered around 4 hectares. Having treated all of the mature plants in 2010, this year’s efforts are focussed on controlling any newly germinated Spanish heath plants, as well as removing any mature plants that we may have missed in the past.
Despite the inclement weather, everyone left with a smile on their faces, having enjoyed the work, the beautiful location and the wonderful company.
More working bees will be held at Egg Islands over the coming months – if you’d like to participate, please contact the TLC.
[Caption:"Volunteers Bill Bragg & Erica Holding pulling Spanish Heath at EggIslands Aug2011. photo: Denna Kingdom"]