Native by design February 19, 2012
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: garden design, landscaping, natives, renovation
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If you have not navigated deeper into the SKIPAs site before, you may have missed a post about landscaping with natives.
Whether you have a brand new block of dirt, a space in your garden to fill, or a backyard renovation planned, there’s some ideas and hints.
Just paste this link into your browser, and happy gardening
http://skipas.wordpress.com/projects/garden-design/
Tuesday Feb 21st SKIPAs get together February 19, 2012
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A bit of tidying up at December’s tree planting site (subtext weeding!)
We are heading to Gubinge Rd, (just south of Howe Drive) opposite Minyirr Park from 4.30pm onwards – look out for the cars parked on the suburb side of the road. Please bring:
- shovels
- your own gloves
- closed in shoes
- your own drinking water
See you on Tuesday for weeding and planting,on Gubinge Rd Broome.
Minyirr Park Weeds Project February 8, 2012
Posted by broomegirl in Monsoon vine thicket, SKIPA Excursions, Uncategorized, weeds.Tags: weeds minyirr park SKIPAs excursions
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Watching Weeds. The group crouches to examine a large area of fresh weeds sprouting beneath natives.
SKIPAs first project for this year will be to tackle some of the weeds growing in Minyirr Park. The coastal dune reserve has cultural significance to Yawuru traditional owners. It also protects Broome from the power of the sea, and the ecology of the linear park and its dunes is important.
Minyirr has monsoonal vine thickets behind the dunes, but in the past 20 years changing patterns in water runoff, fires, weeds and under management of the area has accelerated degradation.
Thus, weeds is the focus of the group, who will work with Yawuru Rangers, Environs Kimberley, the Broome Shire and other interested parties.
As Beau describes weed problems, some of the group can't resist ripping up what they can.
The ‘reccy’ last night was to look at some of the weeds prevelent in the park, and discuss possible methods of eradication and replanting. The key part of managing weeds, in such a large area and over a long time, is to bite off small chunks.
Understanding plant growth, how weed communities function, and how to make the best effort with small resources requires a bit of planning. The Minyirr Park weed eradication project is still evolving.
Doc holds up Siratro, a smothering vine
Environs Kimberley has some excellent information on weeds threatening Broome bushland, with this easy to identify plant guide.
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/kimberley-conservation-campaigns-projects/caring-for-country-information/kimberley-weed-cards/
An area cleared of Neem, with some regrowth
As we saw in an area cleared of Neem last year, using cutting and herbicide method, the weeds can regrow. Returning to weed-busted areas to clear regrowth and new seedlings must be a part of a successful weeding program .
Vine Thickets February 8, 2012
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: vine thickets bushfire weeds revegetation
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If you want to know more about Monsoonal Vine Thickets – the ancient rainforest remnants unique to Northern Australia – check out this story on ABC Kimberley. EK’s Louise Beames and Bardi Jawi Ranger Mark Shadforth explain
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/02/01/3420715.htm?site=kimberley§ion=news
SKIPAs Tuesday Feb 7th February 6, 2012
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This week you can either meet at the hort compound at Kimberley Training Institute (TAFE) for a little bit of potting up fun or go directly to Minyirr Park, for a walk to look at some of the local bush plants and to identify some weeds.
Soon we will be starting a weeding project in Minyirr Park, so we will be having a look to see what has sprouted.
Meet at Horticultural compound from 4.15 (if you’ve never been it’s at the very end of the carpark, and KTI is on Cable Beach Rd) and/or
Minyirr Park at 5.30pm on Gubinge Rd between De Marchi Rd and Howe Drive. Come along for a walk in the bush to see if we can find some wet season wonders.
Most Tuesdays through 2012 you’ll find SKIPA gatherings at the KTI horticultural compound, come along between 4.30 and 6.30
A woollybutt by any other name… January 29, 2012
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: eucalyptus Miniata woollybutt orange flowers
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Eucalyptus Miniata
SKIPA has a new logo November 30, 2011
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This is our wonderful new logo designed by Robyn Wells and group members. Look out for it – you will be seeing it everywhere soon!
Kimberley Gardens GO WILD Saturday December 3 November 30, 2011
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Kimberley Gardens go wild!Poster
Come along this Saturday at 3.30pm, to the 12 mile Organic Cafe for a Broome Organic Gardeners event to find out how to get more wild things living in your garden.
War on a Weed of national significance November 18, 2011
Posted by broomegirl in SKIPA Excursions, weeds.Tags: weeds SKIPAs excursions parkinsonia
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Victory! An area cleared of Parkinsonia by SKIPA and EK. Follow up treatments will be required however
Weeds have a sly and nasty way of taking over if ignored. So it was with great delight – if not some trepidation – that SKIPA and Environs Kimberley tackled a thorny weed with a bad reputation for ruining a ‘hood.
Tata lizard comfortable amongst the thorns
Parkinsonia aculeata is a Weed of National Significance. A native of South America it was introduced to Australia in the 1890s and has caused problems across NSW, QLD, NT, and WA. (Sounds like the Cane Toad doesn’t it?!) The sprawling, branchy shrub has sharp, long spines which form impenetrable thickets, especially along creek lines. Also called Jerusalem thorn, the pendulous yellow flowers are rather pretty. But the seeds and trees can withstand long dry spells making eradication a long running activity.
A sizeable outbreak of Parkinsonia was found inland from Willie Creek on Goolarabooloo country. Under the guidance of Jason Roe, from Environs Kimberley’s West Kimberley Nature Project, SKIPA set out to clear what we could on one Saturday morning.
No mercy from Michelle and Nadia on this Parkinsonia
Working in pairs with thick gloves we could cut and poison a lot of Parkinsonia and the reward of seeing cleared wetlands free from the prickly menace was great. But in one large, well established thicket some shrubs were so big that we’ll have to return with a chainsaw. Thin saplings could be pulled easily in the soft ground, while others were removed with a chain and ute. Rapid daubing of fresh cut stems with an appropriate herbicide is essential to killing the plant.
Vanessa and Kylie prepare to launch into a Parky
Detailed mapping of the Parkinsonia in this area has not been undertaken. Currently it is inaccurately recorded by the Commonwealth as a core infestation. We will be able to provide them with up to date information on where the Parkinsonia is in this area.
While the work on a muggy morning was hard, and the March flies as horrific as the thorns, the few hours we spent weeding was made enjoyable by great company and team work with plenty of laughs. We were also very well fed! And then the camping overnight on the beach was beautiful.
Beaut campsite for SKIPA and EK
The Parkinsonia infestation will need regular follow ups for removal of new saplings because the seeds remain viable for years. And there is a lot more of this weed to get rid of yet. It’s close proximity and easy access from Broome should make it simple for groups to continue this valuable work, even just for a morning. It all makes a difference!
Flora collection Licence October 8, 2011
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: DEC, licence, seed collecting
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Acacia colei seed
You can’t just collect seeds or cuttings or flowers of any native plants you take a fancy too. You can’t pick any at all, because they are exactly that; Native flora. It’s all protected.
It is important to apply to Department of Envrionment and Conservation for a licence. Here’s the link http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/863/2002/1/2/
and for SKIPA members we are under the first one listed, “Scientific and other purposes”. It costs just $10.
