A woollybutt by any other name… January 29, 2012
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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.
The world wide web of plants October 7, 2011
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Thought I’d share this useful website called Wildflowers of the Darwin region. What I like is the way they categorize the plant idents into flower colours… such a useful way of helping you discover what your mystery plant might be. Many of the plants here occur in the Kimberley too. Check the site out:
http://www.users.on.net/~bennnez/index.html
We are currently collecting seeds of Acacia colei, to use as a pioneer plant in an area of cleared land that needs rehabilitation. If you want to join our mailing list of SKIPs meeting times and activities email skipas@environskimberley.org.au
What have you seen flowering lately? August 26, 2011
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: Brachychiton viscidulus, Kurrajong, red flowers
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Brachychiton viscidulus; Kurrajong
Walking down the rocky trail to Bell Gorge, the brilliant red flowers of Brachychiton viscidulus, the Kurrajong, really stand out against the brown grass. The bare branches show off the flowers to great effect. Slow growing to around 7m this Kimberley Kurrajong could be an ideal feature tree in a garden, especially if you wanted a similar effect to a Boab but without the size and girth!
Busy times even in Winter months! July 1, 2011
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: trips, turkey bush
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Calytrix exstipulata
In the colder months of Broome’s Winter (yes, it has been at 5 degrees overnight!) much of the SKIPAs Tuesday night activities are centred around potting up, weeding or planning for our next trip.
There is a camping trip planned for July in the King Leopold Ranges, which will include some weed management work. Come along to the TAFE nursery on Tue July 5 at 5pm to find out more.
Recently SKIPAs installed a solenoid reticulation system at a members house; learning how to do it has demystified the process and with planning it can be done effectively in your home garden.
We’ve also been finishing off our Rainforest Garden in the TAFE grounds. It has been filled with a range of plants we’ve grown from seed, including ferns, a rock fig, caper bush (Caparis spinosa) and plenty more.
The photo here is of Calytrix exstipulata, also known as Kimberley Heath, Turkey bush or in Bardi language Gidigid. It is a gem to have in the garden. When it blooms well, the candy pink flowers can completely cover the fine silvery leaves. As they age the flowers change to a russet and fall around the base. It is a small shrub around 3 to 4m high and grey fissured bark. It would make a great addition to your garden.
Wonderful wet season growth February 4, 2011
Posted by broomegirl in Uncategorized.Tags: Grevillea formosa, planting out, wet season
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Close up of Grevillea formosa
With above average rain for January in Broome, most plants have rocketted along. Lush new growth and buds bursting forth gladden the plant lover’s heart.
Weeds equally adore these conditions and you have to work hard to keep them in check; vines that suddenly take over canopies, prickly things that make you go ouch, weeds that smother, grow faster and seed readily.
In the home garden you won’t need to spray; regular pulling by hand or cutting and painting with herbicide, or mulching with newspaper/cardboard then chopped vegetation is usually enough to keep them in check.
SKIPAs members have been weeding the pots in the nursery, even in the rain! Surprisingly satisfying.
It’s wonderful to plant out new natives or seeds at this time of year.
As you head along Gubinge road, past Januburu, flick your eyes left to see more than 100 native plants that volunteers dug in before Christmas. The rock hard ground had to be softened first with water (thankyou Broome Shire & Dave for providing the tanker!), then a team went along with spades, and then we could plant and mulch. There’s a real variety of indigenous shrubs and small trees. Make sure you enjoy watching them grow!
PEAKING on the Peninsula December 1, 2010
Posted by lulu79 in CVA, Monsoon vine thicket, SKIPA Excursions, Uncategorized.add a comment
Lookout from Kings Peak to Carnot bay
Travelling up and down the Peninsula for the last couple of years, it had been a while since I had seen a good hill, and I, like a number of others jumped at the chance of undertaking a day trip to Carnot and Kings Peak just south of Beagle Bay. With a name such as these, one could be forgiven for imagining the peaks to be mountainous cloud forests towering into the heavens. I started wondering why I hadn’t noticed them before and began to seriously doubt my general observation skills. But when Doc assured us that they were only 500 metres from the track, and we still couldn’t see them, we knew then, that the title of PEAK might have been a little generous.
With GPS in hand we wandered up and down the track having a dig at Doc’s dodgy Google earth coordinates, only to find ourselves facing a recently lit fire trickling through the scrub. Hessian shopping bags in hand we thought we might have a go at putting it out, but we soon realised that rather than roaring into the scrub, this low September fire, after much recent rain was of little threat to people, property or nature.
Trickling fire close to Carnot Peaks
We resumed our search and were soon climbing the first of Carnot peaks. Bush fruit/medicine species, more often associated with coastal dunes and monsoon vine thicket were scattered throughout. We came across Ficus opposita Sandpaper fig, Sersalisia sericea Mangarr , Capparis lasiantha Bush caper, and Capparis jacobsii which is only found on the peninsula in 3 other localities; all monsoon vine thicket patches. Other species spotted included; Terminalia canescens Joolal, Acacia monticola Red Wattle and Sarcostemma viminale Caustic vine.
Capparis jacobsi
SKIPA mob check out the Mangarr at the base of Carnot Peak
We were also lucky enough to stumble upon the Kimberley endemic Calandrinia strophiolata, a most beautiful annual flower with petals that are bright pink/purple from the top and golden yellow on the underside.
Calandrinia strophiolata - a Kimberley endemic
The most outstanding plant was the giant Ficus platypoda, Rock Fig, perched on top of one of Carnot peaks, behaving as though it were a Strangler Fig F. virens. A giant rock eater, caught, almost as if on pause growing through and breaking up the ferruginous sandstone, it left us to wonder how old it was, and how old it would become.
Giant Ficus platypoda behaving as a strangler fig on the top of Carnot Peak
From the top, it was easy to see the extent of the fire damage (occurring) and from previous years. Despite being an obvious refuge to fire-sensitive vine thicket species, the vulnerability of the plants and animals to fire would likely be realised by fires rushing up the hill, doubling the forward spread of the fire for each 10° of slope. Burnt stumps and charcoaled rocks evidenced this having occurred from time to time.
SKIPA mob at the top of Carnot Peak: Pat, Michelle, Doc, Gary, Sheridan (CVA) and Carmel
A few kilometres away, Kings Peak supported a different plant assemblage again. Most striking was the mass of butterflies attending the gloriously flowering Calytrix exstipulata Kimberley Heather, and a more intact grassy understory supporting flowering Gomprena flaccida Bachelors buttons and sweet smelling Cymbypogon procerus Citronella grass, between the peaks.
Calytrix exstipulata Kimberley Heather flowering gloriously at the top of Kings Peak
There was also a strong variation in flowering and fruiting between the patches with the Capparis jacobsii which had not shown any signs of budding up at Carnot Peaks, showing off its graceful and delicate white flowers.
Capparis jacobsii flowering at Kings Peak
Carnot and Kings Peaks are among the occasional outcrops of early Cretaceous (Emeriau) sandstone scattered throughout the Peninsula. Other outcrops include those near Cygnet Bay, Mount Jowlaenga and Pender Bay. It would be very interesting to see what plants and animals are using these areas in contrast to the surrounding countryside. Perhaps we might get to visit them in 2011?
From one of Kings Peaks to another. Beautiful Country.
At the top of Kings Peak: Kylie (CVA), Doc, Carmel, Lu, Pat and Michelle
Reaching the top, we realised why they are called Peaks and not disregarded as mere rocky rises; taking in the view, looking out to Carnot Bay and across the incredible and seemingly endless flat country, it felt as though we were on top of the world, as though nothing in this great landscape could take place without us witnessing it.
Pillars on the top of Carnot Peaks
Photos and article by Lu (Louise Beames)
DOC!!!!
SKIPA wouldn’t exist without the tireless enthusiasm of Mr Phil (Doc) Docherty
A big thank you to Conservation Volunteers Australia and Kimberley TAFE who have supported a bunch of deadly community volunteers to SKIPA around in 2010.
SKIPA is also supported by EK through the West Kimberley Nature Project and funding from Caring for our Country.
