Summer Sessions Summary

It has been long and hot summer but as you can see from the photos, Cottesloe Coastcare volunteers keep busy.

There is seed to collect – some big seed heads such as the Spinifex longifolius are not difficult to gather but as you can see in the photo of the Conostylis candicans  that their seeds are very tiny indeed.

We only collect what we require to provide to the nurseries to grow plants for our next winter’s planting. Local provenance seems best for our work, where the parent plants have coped with the soil and wind and salt spray so the seedlings have a ‘home side advantage’ and are better adapted to the local conditions.

Our Napier Street dunes site is coming on well. The photo to the left shows a planting session in mid 2012.You can see in the photo to the right that volunteers are pleased with the results of our considerable labours.

When Coastcare volunteers plant seedlings in winter we water them well. If winter rain is poor we follow up with one or two waterings during that first few months. Small plants are often very stressed by late summer and this is the time plants can die suddenly.

Today CCA had a wonderful team of 12 people watering the plants at Napier Street dunes. We work hard but we stop for a cuppa and a chat! Megan arrived with fresh biscuits straight from her oven – many thanks Megan!

Cottesloe Coastcare is always on the look out for a few more hands to help us! This photo is of a group of  UWA students who did a great job watering and weeding with us at the beginning of the summer.

UWA students – watering team

It’s wonderful to see increased numbers of bobtail lizards at our project sites.

A thirsty lizard came out of the bushes when it smelled the water and seemed  happy to lap up the puddle as Greg was watering the plant. I guess it’s been a long time between drinks!

Thanks to all our fantastic volunteers for a good summer of work. And let’s hope it rains soon!

Robyn Benken, Cottesloe Coastcare volunteer