A-Class Reserve Bush Regeneration Project ...
The A-Class Reserve lies at the northern approach to Margaret River , on the west side of Bussell Hwy and south of Carters Road . It includes a stretch of meandering river and rapids, a tied lake and billabong area and is a typical riverine wetland. The laterite ridge is steep and is vegetated predominantly by Eucalypt and Acacia species, typical of the area. The Reserve is criss-crossed with walk-trails, enjoyed by wanderers and cyclists, locals and tourists. It is a rare and beautiful asset of Margaret River , as well as being an entrance statement to the town.
The Regeneration project commenced in August 2001 with the induction of the first 6-month plan devised by local Ann Matei. The project aims at safeguarding and improving the health of the river reserve by using the Bradley methods of Bush Regeneration.
- To use minimum disturbance methods of weed eradication
- To observe local provenance seed and plants to replace weed infestations
- To work outward from areas of healthiest bushland so that existing flora supports new plantings
- To follow up regularly with care and maintenance programmes.
Now into it's fourth year of devoted effort, the file on the A-Class reserve at the Environment Centre grows fat with species herbariums for natives and weeds, transects and weed mapping, results of soil sampling, geomorphological research and study of surface and subsurface water movement, reports of trial plots representing the various methods used to eradicate problem species, the construction of the fish ladder for the prehistoric Lamprey Eel, seeds collected, propagation methods tested at the Community nursery, and an ever growing list of active participants.
With the onset of spring, the prolific flowering nature of many weed species endangers the hard work achieved by weeders the previous year. “ One year's seeding equals 7 years weeding”, the saying goes.
We meet at the Environment Centre at 9am every Wednesday, and head into the bush for a glorious day in the nature of things. We invite you to join us, particularly at this time of the year, and your commitment need not be permanent! Just committing one day to the bush will be of appreciated value to us at the Environment Centre, who gain much momentum from our actively participating community! Bring your wet weather gear and lunch if you will stay that long, and bring a friend!
If you are interested in viewing the action plans, photos and herbariums created over the past 4 years, come and see them at the centre. We are immensely proud of the achievements made in this project.