One of Hornsby Shire's natural gems, Blue Gum High Forest, is critically endangered, with less than 5% of the forest remaining. To help protect this vital ecosystem, Hornsby Shire Council has released a compelling #SayHighForest video, encouraging the community to visit, love and protect Blue Gum High Forest before it's too late.
The forest's survival heavily depends on Hornsby Shire and its residents, as Blue Gum High Forest has specific soil and rainfall requirements that limit where it can grow. One of the best ways to protect the forest is by becoming a Bushcare volunteer. Volunteering is a fantastic way to help restore and learn about Blue Gum High Forest, while enjoying nature and connecting with like-minded people.
"Volunteers contribute to the restoration of degraded bushland areas into healthy natural ecosystems by helping control weeds, planting local native species, and improving the habitat of the forest's inhabitants like powerful owls and glossy black-cockatoos," said Hornsby Shire Council's Bushland Programs Coordinator, Jeannette Stannard.
"There are 12 Bushcare groups, working in Blue Gum High Forest, that residents can join, with each group guided by one of our specialist Bushcare trainers."
The groups operate in Beecroft, Cherrybrook, Hornsby, Normanhurst, Wahroonga and West Pennant Hills.
Marie Kobler, featured in the #SayHighForest video, has been volunteering at her local Bushcare site for about 20 years. Passionate about the natural environment, she finds great joy in her work.
"It is incredibly rewarding and satisfying to work on a site and see native plants flourishing where weeds once dominated," said Marie.
While volunteering is fulfilling, we understand that not everyone can become a Bushcare volunteer, and there are other simple ways to help protect the forest:
- Attend a community planting event
- Don't dump materials, including green waste, in the forest
- Keep your cat indoors, especially at night
- Keep your dog on a lead and stick to managed tracks and trails
- Avoid using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SCARs) mouse and rat poison
- Report fox sightings to FoxScan
- Participate in iNaturalist citizen science by capturing photos of the biodiversity you encounter in the forest
- Don't remove dead wood from the forest as it is an important part of the forest ecosystem and provides habitat.
The #SayHighForest video is supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust, to demonstrate the threats to the forest and how it can be protected for future generations.
Discover how to become a Bushcare volunteer, and learn more about other ways to visit, love and protect Blue Gum High Forest: hornsby.nsw.gov.au/SayHighForest
