Nathan Road Wetlands Bushcare Group 2024
8.00 am to 10.00 am
Meet at the corner of Morris Road and Wattle Street
4th Tuesday of each month
Bushcare activities
Participants should ensure to wear protective clothing (long sleeves and long pants are recommended), suitable footwear, bring plenty of water; wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent if necessary. Council provides tools and equipment, plants and mulch.
- Activities include:
- Plant and weed identification
- Weeding
- Mulching
- Encouraging natural regeneration
- Tree planting
- Habitat creation
Participants should ensure to wear protective clothing (long sleeves and long pants are recommended), suitable footwear, bring plenty of water; wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent if necessary. Council provides tools and equipment, plants and mulch.
Media Gallery
Dealing with Brazilian Nightshade
September 2023
With spring truly on its way, the Nathan Road Wetland Bushcare volunteers carried out their own version of a "Spring Clean"! The volunteers swept across the Reserve targeting any rubbish as well as collecting and recycling tree guards and stakes used for previous plantings. There was also the opportunity to remove a few ground weeds! With a great turn out of volunteers the morning also provided people with a chance to appreciate some of the wildlife associated with such an important wetland habitat. Their ongoing and tireless work truly makes a difference to the quality of this important habitat reserve.
July 2023
On a cool day, 13 Bushcare volunteers commenced work on the site at Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve. They were joined by a new team of recruits from "Younity" at Deception Bay. Such a busy morning with some of the flora and fauna out and about to inspire all. The Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve is truly a remarkable place and worthy of all the care and attention possible. A big thank you to Gary Brennan from our Bushcare team, Deb McQuattie from the Moreton Bay City Council and Emma Robertson from Younity (and of course our dedicated volunteers).
March 2023
Although it's the end of March, it was still a hot start to the day at the Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve. Volunteers addressed two sites this morning with one group looking after the bushcare site immediate to Morris Road, whilst a second group took a short trek to a site where over 14 hectares of a serious weed, Broad-leafed Pepper had been treated. The goal was to start addressing any regrowth of the pepper trees as well as bring down as much Brazilian Nightshade as possible. The berries and flowers of this noxious weed had to be collected and bagged in order to reduce the further recruitment of these vines, which smother native vegetation. Finally, everyone was reminded of the value their work through the presence of a resident koala and a black-shouldered kite. Its amazing how a group of volunteers can make a difference to the quality of our nature reserves.
February 2023
Off to a great start in 2023
After a very long Summer Break, over 20 volunteers arrived at the Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve to be greeted by an overgrown Zone 1.
Heavy rain in December and lots of heat, meant that the Zone was completely smothered by Setaria Grass. This South African Grass was spread along the Wetlands many years ago, when the area was a cattle farm. Luckily for us, it can be dug out easily and turned upside down, or placed in heaps or sacrificial sites. It was so, so pleasing to see so many new native, self sown seedlings, surviving the clumps of grass.
All the volunteers were very grateful to have the large young team of Deception Bay Greenies who turned up to give us wonderful support. The Bearded Dragons were also very grateful that we were careful to work around them.
We finished the morning with a cuppa and a chat, greatly satisfied with the progress made.
Volunteer Group Co-ordinator Gary Brennan,
After a very long Summer Break, over 20 volunteers arrived at the Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve to be greeted by an overgrown Zone 1.
Heavy rain in December and lots of heat, meant that the Zone was completely smothered by Setaria Grass. This South African Grass was spread along the Wetlands many years ago, when the area was a cattle farm. Luckily for us, it can be dug out easily and turned upside down, or placed in heaps or sacrificial sites. It was so, so pleasing to see so many new native, self sown seedlings, surviving the clumps of grass.
All the volunteers were very grateful to have the large young team of Deception Bay Greenies who turned up to give us wonderful support. The Bearded Dragons were also very grateful that we were careful to work around them.
We finished the morning with a cuppa and a chat, greatly satisfied with the progress made.
Volunteer Group Co-ordinator Gary Brennan,
September 2022
Another successful session at the Nathan Road Bushcare site. Along with the Deception Bay Greenies, our fantastic volunteers targeted annual weeds amongst the Casuarina and Melaleuca stands on the edge of the Nathan Road Reserve. We were also provided with the opportunity to see some of the wildlife in the area. A reminder that the Bushcare is such a valuable endeavour, making a positive contribution to the health of our local environment.
August 2022
On a bright August morning a team of dedicated volunteers turn up to look after the Nathan Road Bushcare Site. Today they were targeting Billy Goat weed and Devil's Fig, both environmental weeds. The site is in great condition, thanks to all the work from the volunteers, the Deception Bay Greenies and the Moreton Bay Regional Council. There was plenty of birdlife on show as well as some evidence of predation on local Brushtail Possums (if you think it's something else - let is know)! It's good to know that their work helps to keep the area suitable for our local wildlife.
July 2022
A team of 20 wonderful weeders were kept very busy all morning in the beautiful winter sunshine at the Nathan Road Bushcare Site.
After the recent rain, weeding was easy and the team concentrated on Devil’s Fig, Blue Billy Goat Weed and Brazilian Nightshade.
Our volunteers welcomed and thanked Matt and the large group of Deception Bay Greenies for their energetic support.
The team was watched by some of the local wildlife including a number of kangaroos. The team spotted a quail amongst the grass and when they looked up into the tree canopy they observed a Tawny Frogmouth and a Pacific baza!
Maybe the birds were just appreciative of the work carried out by the Bushcare team?
After the recent rain, weeding was easy and the team concentrated on Devil’s Fig, Blue Billy Goat Weed and Brazilian Nightshade.
Our volunteers welcomed and thanked Matt and the large group of Deception Bay Greenies for their energetic support.
The team was watched by some of the local wildlife including a number of kangaroos. The team spotted a quail amongst the grass and when they looked up into the tree canopy they observed a Tawny Frogmouth and a Pacific baza!
Maybe the birds were just appreciative of the work carried out by the Bushcare team?
June 2022
After an unbelievable amount of rain and the completion of the school holidays it was back to Bushcare at the amazing Nathan Road Wetlands site. A successful morning with the removal of weeds and some new planting! The usual weeds were targeted including Corky Passion Vine, Devil's Fig and Billy Goat Weed. Amazing work from our volunteers and partners. Its amazing what people can do to help our local wetlands and bush areas by volunteering for a few hours through the Bushcare program. If you would like to join us don't forget to check our Bushcare calendar by clicking here.
March 2022
Another busy day for the Nathan Road Wetlands Bushcare Group. Apart from the usual wildlife including bearded dragons and Eastern Grey Kangaroos, some of our volunteers were pleased to see some young sedge frogs emerging from the vegetation. No doubt a result of the recent rain event. Thanks to the Deception Bay Greenies, Jason and his team, for helping the volunteers out!
February 2022
Today the Bushcare site at Nathan Road Wetlands was overrun with volunteers and Bushcare workers focused on several areas of the reserve (known for its local koalas and kangaroos as well as being a birding hotspot). At the Bushcare site, volunteers were working on the latest planting and where appropriate recycling stakes and tree guards. The summer rains have really helped the planting. The rain has also helped weeds including Groundsel, Broad-leafed Pepper and Panic Grass to thrive. These weeds need to be controlled as they can change the entire ecology of the area. The Moreton Bay Regional Council has invested heavily in this area with conservation officers assisting Bushcare volunteers as well as providing funds for specialist contractors to work on a number of projects to improve the quality of the habitat. Just this morning there were 3 sets of contractors working in the vicinity on various projects. At one site the contractors told us that natural regeneration was occurring in the treated areas with Tuckeroos and Cheese Trees emerging from the substrate. Also a team from Deception Bay Greenies attacked large patches of Groundsel (before they get too established). Finally a team from Evolve were working on a major project supported by Healthy Land & Water and the Redcliffe Environmental Forum to treat a large infestation of Broad-leafed Pepper. Amazing work!
The Nathan Road Bushcare group meet regularly onsite to make a difference to our local environment. Why not volunteer to help? We have 4 Bushcare sites in the area - you can check the schedule here and make contact with our site supervisors - they would love to see you.
The Nathan Road Bushcare group meet regularly onsite to make a difference to our local environment. Why not volunteer to help? We have 4 Bushcare sites in the area - you can check the schedule here and make contact with our site supervisors - they would love to see you.
October 2021
The Nathan Road Wetlands Bushcare group with the support of the MBRC environment officers met today to tackle the problematic weed known as Groundsel. The recent wet weather made the soil malleable and provided the opportunity to remove young developing stands of the weed. In coastal areas like the Nathan Road Wetlands, Groundsel bush can form a dense understorey, suppressing the growth of native sedges and interfering with the natural ecosystem. Infestations can have a severe impact on the endemic patches of marine couch, a protected species relied on by many species including invertebrates and vertebrates such as kangaroos as a food source. The Bushcare volunteers were also assisted by the Deception Bay Community Youth Programs through their Green Project Traineeship Team. The team lead by Jason Cook have been developing their skills and making a real difference to this important conservation site..
August 2021
The Nathan Road Wetland Reserve is classed as a hotspot for birds in South East Queensland. To date 205 species of birds have been observed utilising the reserve, including waterbirds such as Latham's Snipe and the Painted Snipe. Yesterday REF and representatives from Healthy Land and Water, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Evolve and the Nathan Road Bushcare group completed a site inspection of the reserve. A fabulous area for wildlife and flora, there are concerns over the high infestation of the Broad-leaved Pepper Tree. The next step is to develop a plan to control this invasive weed, which excludes native plants and wildlife.
June 2021
This Tuesday, Bushcare volunteers along with staff from the Moreton Bay Regional Council and Conservation Volunteers Australia conducted a planting session at Nathan Road Wetlands with Year 6 students from Mueller College. A great morning with the students asking some tough questions as they did their bit for the local environment.