Martin Brower & Endangered Forest

On Tuesday 14^th May 2024, Greater Sydney Landcare was pleased to host a corporate volunteering day for 10 employees from Martin Brower at Peter Canisius House, Pymble in the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area.

The following is a report from Greater Sydney Landcare’s Matt Keighery, who led the day:

Protecting a Critically Endangered Ecological Community

“Blue Gum High Forest is a Critically Endangered ecological community. It is not a term that is used lightly, as it basically means it is perilously close to not existing. Well that’s not quite a scientific definition but it conveys the gravity of the situation for this once mighty forest community which stretched from Crows Nest to Hornsby in Sydney’s North.”

“The largest existing remnant is at Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve on Mona Vale Road at Pymble and opposite, set on five acres, is Peter Canisius House—a place for spiritual retreats containing gardens and an additional significant remnant of the critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest.”

“It isn’t every day we get to work on something so precious, but it is our intention to focus enough care and attention on the remnant to protect it.”

Martin Brower Volunteers in Action

“We brought along 10 enthusiastic volunteers from Martin Brower—a supply chain solutions provider who are currently celebrating their 90^th year in business and wanted to help restore this remnant.”

“There were large amounts of weeds and exotics that we needed to remove including Privet, Chinese Hackberry, Giant Strelitzia, Ochna and Fishbone Fern under an intact canopy of Blue Gum and Blackbutt and hiding wonderful ground covers and beautiful ferns like Rasp Fern.”

“Martin Brower enjoyed the day and were very impressive with the amount of work they got done.”

Future Plans for Restoration

“The intention is for Martin Brower to come back in a few weeks and plant sections of the perimeter with provenance plants sourced from the Ku-ring-gai Nursery so that the footprint of this ecological community can be enlarged, and its edge strengthened.”

“Greater Sydney Landcare would like to bring more groups back to Pater Canisius House, and perhaps we can start a Landcare Group there too.”

“In the meantime, we look forward to another great effort from Martin Brower – a fitting tribute for their company’s 90th.”

Volunteer for Bushcare in Ku-ring-gai

If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Ku-ring-gai 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.