What’s big, green, and bursting with potential habitat for native plants and animals? A golf course!
Greater Sydney Landcare (GSL) recently joined Lane Cove Council for a special Bushcare introduction event exploring the surprising environmental value of Lane Cove Golf Course. This unique green space holds enormous potential to support native wildlife. Accounting for 20% of the greenspace in Lane Cove and right in the heart of the community, it is a special site indeed.
Greeted by Lane Cove Bushcare and GSL staff, 17 dedicated volunteers arrived bright and early on a dreary morning, rolling up their sleeves to plant 120 native shrubs and groundcover species.
Before getting started, staff walked volunteers through the site’s significant environmental opportunities and challenges. While the golf course offers extensive green space and connectivity, it is also impacted by invasive species such as Wandering trad (Tradescantia fluminensis) and Morning glory (Ipomoea cairica).
These fast-growing weeds were the focus of the morning’s efforts, as volunteers raked and manually removed dense patches to make way for a diverse new native understory.
As always, Bushcare revealed the hidden life within the landscape. Among the leaf litter and soil, volunteers encountered a yellow-bellied three-toed skink (Saiphos equalis) along with a fascinating array of invertebrates, including beetles, slugs, spiders, moths, butterflies, centipedes, and slaters who all play important roles in the ecosystem.
With weeds cleared, it was time to plant. Volunteers carefully installed and watered 120 native plants, contributing to the long-term restoration of habitat that will provide shelter and food for local wildlife. Each plant represents a step towards a healthier, more resilient urban bushland corridor.
After a well-earned lunch of sandwiches, the group embarked on a guided Nature Safari walk and talk, deepening their understanding of the site and its ecological values.
Volunteers also learned about citizen science apps that can help them continue exploring and contributing to knowledge about their local environment:
- iNaturalist – https://www.inaturalist.org
- Trees Near Me – https://treesnearme.com.au
- Merlin Bird ID – https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org
- FrogID – https://www.frogid.net.au
These tools empower community members to record sightings, identify species, and actively participate in environmental monitoring.
GSL thanks Lane Cove Council for hosting this fantastic event, and extends sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who braved the weather to achieve wonderful ecological outcomes.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Lane Cove
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Lane Cove LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
