News
14 April, 2022
Linville forest area regenerates with friends of the forest
THE after-effects of the recent flooding at the Linville-based Greenhide Reserve are being repaired by volunteers from Friends of the Forest Inc. (FotF).
FotF president Carolita Fuentes and members of the Conservation Volunteers Australia team noted where floodwaters had risen up to seven metres high on the site.
They worked together last Thursday to help remove invasive plants, which are a threat to the survival of this sensitive area of forest.
“More hands on deck are needed to help remove the invasive species of plants,” Carolita said.
“These include Lantana, Trad, Dutchman’s Pipe, Cats Claw and Castor Oil plant.
“We have had a dedicated core of volunteers but more local community custodianship is required for this forest to survive into the future.”
Carolita said the forest was identified as having endangered and rare species of flora and fauna, which are only found in very small remnant isolated patches of Subtropical Lowland Rainforest officially classified as ‘endangered’ around south-east Queensland.
“The plants and native animals that call this particular habitat ‘home’ exist nowhere else in the world,” Carolita said.
“Neighbouring landholders still remember Greenhide Reserve as a popular picnic and swimming site before the major floods changed the course of the river and removed a large section of the forest in its wake.”
Additionally, Carolita said vegetation had changed when trees were removed in order to build the nearby road, and to install power lines.
“Invasive species have replaced canopy that was taken out,” she said.
“The road has cut the forest in half.
“There’s always human impact on these native forests that have diminished the habitat for native flora and fauna.
“There’s manmade impacts, but people can counteract this.”
Carolita said some of the trees were hundreds of years old, and that the FotF volunteers planted native black bean trees and removed weeds to enable native species to flourish.
Another task Carolita identified was planting native species to prevent soil erosion.
Carolita said the group usually met monthly and that ‘many hands make light work’.
“There’s lots of benefits,” she said.
“Friendships are formed, and it’s a social activity.
“You get fit, and get to enjoy natural environment.
“You learn about plants and other ecological values, and it’s also good for physical and mental health.”
Alec Patten of Conservation Volunteers Australia and his team also helped out onsite last Thursday.
Alec said he admired the dedication and hard work of the people there, and their willingness to learn.
“It allows people to learn hands-on, and provides the opportunity to learn skills and techniques which will help them gain employment in the conservation field,” he said.
FotF, in collaboration with Somerset Regional Council and Conservation Volunteers Australia, aims to restore the ecological values of Greenhide Reserve and for it to become a recognised conservation area.
Carolita said there was assistance from members of the Brisbane Valley Kilcoy Landcare Group, the Hinterland Bushlinks crew from Maleny, and Queensland Koala Crusaders.
“I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable guidance from Darren McPherson, NRM Officer and the support of Somerset Regional councillors, including Cheryl Gaedtke and Kylee Isidro,” she said.
Carolita said she hoped Greenhide Reserve would again provide a place for people to stop for a picnic and enjoy ‘the surprises, beauty and peace that only natural spaces like this one can provide’.
The environmental conservation group is calling out for people who would like to help look after the remnant patch of endangered forest.
To be part of the monthly forest regeneration days at Greenhide Reserve, email Carolita Fuentes at friendsoftheforest17@gmail.com.
