On the 10th of December, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed a vibrant team of 23 volunteers from Integrated Science for an action-packed and inspiring day at one of North Sydney’s most breathtaking reserves, Tunks Park.
The event was led by GSL staff Danielle Hughes (Project Manager), Alicia Harb-Akins (Project Officer), Peter Cartwright (Environmental Field Officer), and Laura Fazio-Nagy (Streamwatch Coordinator), who guided volunteers through a series of hands-on activities celebrating conservation, learning, and local biodiversity.
A Stunning Natural Setting
Tunks Park stretches for a full kilometre through a sandstone gully, from Hamilton Reserve down to the glistening Middle Harbour foreshore of Long Bay. The reserve is home to spectacular Blackbutt Gully Forest, threading beneath the sandstone arches of Cammeray’s historic Suspension Bridge and across the dramatic cliffs and sports fields that define this iconic landscape.
The bushland at Tunks Park West, accessed just west of the Suspension Bridge, sits atop the gully and backs onto nearby homes and unit blocks. Despite its urban surroundings, it is teeming with life. Swamp Wallabies are now resident, and other wildlife, including Green Tree Snakes, Red-Browed Finches, and Eastern Toadlets, call the reserve home. As part of the Middle Harbour cluster of bushland reserves, Tunks Park forms an essential wildlife corridor and is recognised as one of North Sydney Council’s key biodiversity hotspots.
Bushcare, Water Science & Nature Exploration
The volunteers brought fantastic energy as they rolled up their sleeves for some much-needed bush regeneration, removing invasive Fishbone Fern from the bushland hugging the harbour and walking track. Their effort made a clear and immediate difference to the health of the native understorey.
Next, the group joined Laura for an engaging Streamwatch session, learning to monitor creek health using water-testing equipment and by examining freshwater macroinvertebrates (“water bugs”) to assess ecological condition. For many, it was a new and eye-opening way to understand the hidden life of the local waterways.
After lunch, the crew set off on a Nature Bingo walk, a fun way to explore and learn about the bushland. Volunteers learned about local species and their unique characteristics while paying closer attention to the small details that make this reserve so special like insects, flowers and birds.
A Delicious Spread to Keep Everyone Going
Morning tea was a colourful and tempting mix of fresh fruits, cheese and crackers, lamingtons, and muffins, a hit with everyone! For lunch, volunteers enjoyed an assortment of Subway sandwiches and refreshing watermelon, perfect for refuelling after a morning of hands-on work.
A Fantastic Effort from an Energetic Team
Throughout the day, the volunteers from Integrated Science brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to helping the land. Their hard work in weed removal, eagerness to learn during Streamwatch, and engagement with the nature walk made the event a huge success.
With healthier bushland, cleaner waterways, and a deeper appreciation for local flora and fauna, it was a memorable and meaningful day at Tunks Park for everyone involved.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Willoughby
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Willoughby LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
