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         Bushcare Groups

                         Mighty Duck River Restoration Collective 

                          Parramatta Council Natural Resource Team Phone : 9806 5722
                                                   Co-ordinator : Peter Dixon
                                   Contact : bushregenerator@optusnet.com.au
                            Meets on the third Saturday of the month 9am to 12 noon.
                                         Next activity => Refer to the home page
                           Meeting Place : End of Seventh Street in Granville at 9am
                                             Local Council - Parramatta

In 1999, the Mighty Duck River Restoration Collective set out to restore a highly degraded section of Duck River.  The group has planted more than 10,000 native trees and shrubs since then. Gradually the group has managed to join up indigenous vegetation along two kilometres of the river, in a 20 to 40-metre-wide corridor. The restoration work had made an enormous difference to the area, not just in vegetation, but also in bringing wildlife back to the area.

When the group first started they recorded only five bird species. At last count, they had recorded more than 60 species - including the Azure Kingfisher and the Black Shouldered Kite. Initially only one species of ant was recorded, but now there are a huge range of ant species and other invertebrates. This is a good indication that the soil and environment has become much healthier.

There used to be open grass right to the river banks. The group then planted indigenous trees (casuarinas and acacias). Now that the trees have established themselves, the community feedback has been very positive. The trees have helped to reduce erosion problems, and the water quality has improved.

The foreground area has been cleared of weeds (Photo - John Baker)

                                 There is still much work to be done. Can you help ?

                                  Contact : bushregenerator@optusnet.com.au