On the 11th of March, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed a team of enthusiastic volunteers from Medium Rare Content Agency for a rewarding day of environmental volunteering at Nurragingy Reserve. With 13 volunteers joining us on a warm Wednesday, the team spent the day learning about local ecosystems, working together to restore bushland, and enjoying time outdoors in one of Western Sydney’s most beautiful reserves.
The morning began with a hands-on bush regeneration session focused on removing a dense section of Large-leaf Privet, a highly invasive weed that can quickly dominate native bushland. Working together in teams, volunteers tackled both large and small trees, carefully cutting them down and processing the branches before loading them directly onto a truck provided by Blacktown City Council.
It was fantastic to see the group’s teamwork in action, with volunteers supporting one another to remove the weeds efficiently and safely. By the end of the session, a whole section of privet had been cleared, opening the area up for native plants to regenerate and wildlife habitat to improve.
After a productive morning of work, the team enjoyed a well-earned morning tea featuring a variety of fresh fruit, nuts, dips and crackers, muffins and shortbread—perfect fuel for the next activity.
Next, volunteers took part in an interactive session led by Greater Sydney Landcare’s Streamwatch educator, Laura. The group learned about the Streamwatch program and how scientists and community members assess the health of local waterways. Using Streamwatch testing equipment, the team explored how to measure key water quality indicators and discussed why healthy waterways are so important for supporting local ecosystems.
One of the highlights of the session was exploring the creek to find aquatic macroinvertebrates—better known as waterbugs. Laura captured several different species and explained how these small creatures act as important indicators of waterway health. By looking at the diversity of waterbugs present, scientists can gain valuable insights into the overall condition of the ecosystem.
Lunch followed, with a spread of fresh sandwiches providing a welcome break from the heat of the day and an opportunity for volunteers to relax and chat about the morning’s activities.
In the afternoon, the team headed to another section of the reserve to continue their bush regeneration work. Volunteers removed a range of invasive weeds including Moth Vine, Pseudocapsicum, tobacco plant and various annual weeds. These efforts help reduce competition for native plants and improve habitat for the many species that call the reserve home.
The day was a fantastic example of how corporate volunteering can bring people together to learn new skills, build stronger teams and make a meaningful contribution to the environment. With plenty of hard work, hands-on learning and time spent outdoors, the Medium Rare team left knowing they had made a real difference to the health of Nurragingy Reserve.
Greater Sydney Landcare would like to thank the volunteers from Medium Rare for their enthusiasm and dedication, as well as Blacktown City Council for their continued support of restoration work within the reserve. Together, we are helping protect and restore this valuable urban bushland for the benefit of local wildlife and the wider community. 🌿
Join Blacktown’s Bushcare Program
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Blacktown area, you can volunteer to become a Blacktown City Council Bushcare volunteer, and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Come Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Greater Sydney Landcare has hosted dozens of companies for Corporate Volunteering days to restore Greater Sydney’s environment. Will yours be next? Download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack for more info.
