Windy Point Volunteer
Trees For Life volunteer Mick Brien has been recognised for his work restoring Grey Box Grassy Woodland habitat at Windy Point, Belair.
Mick joined Trees For Life 10 years ago when he retired, seeking an activity to get him out of the house and keep him busy.
Along with other volunteers, he has been working to ‘rescue’ Grey Box eucalypts from Windy Point and Randell Park Reserve in the Mitcham foothills.
By removing woody weeds including ash and olives from the base of the trees, eucalypts have a better chance of survival.
“There’s only 11 per cent of Grey Box woodland left in the Adelaide Hills so it’s important to preserve what is left,” Mick said. “We’re hoping that by clearing these weeds we see some of the native understorey species return.”
Mick enjoys spending time in the Reserve and working alongside like-minded volunteers.
“It’s a beautiful place – we sometimes see kangaroos and koalas,” he said. “It’s a good way to keep fit and knowing that every time you kill weeds, you’re helping the natives to recover and flourish. The hope is that one day the Grey Box will dominate the landscape again.”
Located west of Old Belair Road, Randell Park Reserve is a 47 hectare bushland area once used for mining and grazing.
Mick was awarded a Thank You Tree Award for his contribution at the Trees For Life end of year celebration in December.
Eucalpytus microcarpa (Grey Box) grassy woodland is classified as an endangered ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
To find out more about volunteering for Trees For Life, visit https://treesforlife.org.au