Environment Taking care of Cahills Scrub - Peachester Contributed by Sandra Poole
Did you know that the little community of Peachester has its own land care group? For a small town it sure packs a collective punch. When my husband John and I moved here from Brisbane in 2016 we felt it straight away. I wanted to learn more about the surrounding bushland and get to know the locals (people as well as flora and fauna), so I joined FOCS (Friends of Cahill’s Scrub). Cahill’s Scrub is a reserve that runs from MacDonald Road through to Harold Place following a gully and creek that is filled with amazing plants and animals. Platypus have been seen in the creek and the scrub abounds with red-necked wallabies and echidnas, and is a highway for a little band of grey kangaroos with a magnificent buck that my son has nicknamed El Patron (don’t mess with him). Our intrepid and hard-working leader, Ted Prickett, being (a very youthful) 84 years old, decided to finally take a break from his tireless environmental contribution and hand the reins over to me. Of course I was not all that confident to do so but, under Ted’s very experienced guidance, I am beginning to understand more and more about the history and importance of this reserve. His wonderful wife Eunice contributes vitally to the group by supplying us with the most delicious savoury muffins I have ever tasted for our mid-morning break! We are a small band of volunteers who meet on the last Saturday of the month beginning in February and continuing through the cooler months from 9am-12noon. With the enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable assistance of our Sunshine Coast environmental contractor Brendan Stephen we have managed to plant and nurture, so far this year, around 620 young trees to help maintain the wild integrity of this special part of the world. Friends of Cahill’s Scrub would like to welcome new friends anytime to help us in our work. Please come along and join us or you can contact me on 0411 640 115.
Peter, Jeremy, Ted, Sandra, Alwyn, Carolyn and Islay
eastonlawyers
your local lawyers
Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network A universe beneath our feet Stop for a moment and look down. Beneath your feet, no matter where you are standing, is a whole universe full of life, of which we know very little. The complexity of subterranean communities in the soil is quite mindboggling. A teaspoon of good soil can contain a billion bacteria, metres of fungal strands, several thousand protozoans and a few dozen nematodes. In addition, larger organisms such as worms, ants, woodlice and springtails call the soil their home. There are numerous interactions between the members of these communities. Plants release excess carbohydrates into the soil as food for bacteria and fungi. Bacteria convert nitrogen and other nutrients into usable forms for plants. Fungi form extensive networks of strands (called mycelia) that link plants together, add to root masses, transport nutrients and trace elements between plants, and even allow communication between plants – forming a subterranean internet! In addition, these fungal threads have a sticky coating called glomalin, which is a major reservoir of carbon, thus helping mitigate greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, traditional gardening and farming methods, including digging and use of fertilisers and pesticides, threaten and even destroy these underground communities. We need to learn to nurture the natural biosphere through minimal digging, using green manure crops in between other crops to reduce bare soil, growing a diversity of crops rather than monocrops, adding organic matter regularly and avoiding the use of chemicals. In return, the natural organisms will improve the quality and water holding capacity of the soil, allowing a much better yield from crops. Do you have an hour or two a month to spare? Would you like to learn more about the flora and fauna in your area, and meet new friends? Visit www.gman-inc.com.au. For information on GMAN Nursery sales please call Bernie on 0407 598 438.
> Interior Blinds & Shutters > Outdoor Blinds & Awnings > Roll out Caravan Awnings & Annexes > Boat & 4WD Canopies > Vehicle Interiors > Furniture Upholstery
62 Maple Street, Maleny PO Box 255, Maleny Qld 4552 14
Tip for June
PH 5494 0133
MOOLOOLAH DENTAL SURGERY David Zimmermann Mark Hall
Medicare Child Dental Benefits welcome
p 5494 3511
Glasshouse Country
Unit 7/47 Beerwah Parade, BEERWAH campup1@bigpond.com
EXCELLENCE IN DENTAL CARE FRIENDLY SUPPORTIVE STAFF Open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
War on Waste
20 Karanne Drive, Mooloolah (next to Medical Centre)
Phone 5494 7011
Follow us on Instagram @gcmnews
Beerwah Resource Recovery Centre has set up a recycling station for easy disposal of household items that can’t go in kerbside recycling bins. If you would like to join our group come along to the next meeting on Wednesday, June 19 from 6–7.30pm at the CWA Hall in Simpson Street, Beerwah. Phone 0427 873 701 or Facebook War on Waste Glasshouse Country for more information.
Glasshouse Country & Maleny News
