This small sanctuary in the northern Sydney suburb of Forestville covers 3.7 ha. The entrance is on Coolabah Crescent and it then runs between two houses to a steep cliff face before continuing behind the houses. It is part of a Crown Lands reserve owned by Warringah Council which in turn adjoins Garigal National Park. It forms part of the Bantry Bay catchment which feeds into Middle Harbour.
The vegetation is typical of Hawkesbury Sandstone but its close proximity to houses has brought an influx of weeds and invasive garden plants. These were first tackled in the mid 1990's when Claire Deane had a dream to return the area to its natural vegetation.
When Claire was tragically killed in 2000 a small group of volunteers including her parents came together to continue her work and vision to regenerate this degraded piece of bushland. The group is supported by Warringah Council under their Friends of the Bush volunteer programme. And National Parks: mailto:npws.kuringgaichase@environment.nsw.gov.au
When Noelene Hutchinson learnt of our desire to fulfill Claire's plan to care for the bush she agreed to supervise the group. Noelene undertook a Plan of Management for the Sanctuary for her major assignment for a Bush Regenerating IV course she studied at Ryde TAFE. She received top marks for the assignment.
Noelene also applied to have the name Claire Deane Bush Sanctuary officially gazetted.
Sadly, Noelene died of cancer on December 31, 2010. However, the group still meets to control the weeds and do appropriate plantings in an endeavour to achieve Claire's dream.
2019 - Over the years many local natives have been planted but it was always difficult to find pockets of the sandy soil deep enough for their roots to quickly get established. As a result, survival rate has been extremely low. As we age planning for a future when we are no longer able to travel down from Dorrigo when the Bush regen days may even then cease, we decided it best to plant tough species able to survive untended in need. Plants that grew dense enough to also restrict weed growth were beneficial. Lomandras were an ideal choice as they are able to cope with both drought and excessive moisture and make it difficult for weeds to also succeed.
As a bonus Lomandras are the foodplant for caterpillars of various butterflies including the common large skipper butterfly the Splendid Ochre Trapezites symmomus. With world insect populations rapidly declining and many species facing extinction from extensive chemical spraying, habitat clearing and climate change, anything we can do to help slow this decline is vital and is to be welcomed.
The vegetation is typical of Hawkesbury Sandstone but its close proximity to houses has brought an influx of weeds and invasive garden plants. These were first tackled in the mid 1990's when Claire Deane had a dream to return the area to its natural vegetation.
When Claire was tragically killed in 2000 a small group of volunteers including her parents came together to continue her work and vision to regenerate this degraded piece of bushland. The group is supported by Warringah Council under their Friends of the Bush volunteer programme. And National Parks: mailto:npws.kuringgaichase@environment.nsw.gov.au
When Noelene Hutchinson learnt of our desire to fulfill Claire's plan to care for the bush she agreed to supervise the group. Noelene undertook a Plan of Management for the Sanctuary for her major assignment for a Bush Regenerating IV course she studied at Ryde TAFE. She received top marks for the assignment.
Noelene also applied to have the name Claire Deane Bush Sanctuary officially gazetted.
Sadly, Noelene died of cancer on December 31, 2010. However, the group still meets to control the weeds and do appropriate plantings in an endeavour to achieve Claire's dream.
2019 - Over the years many local natives have been planted but it was always difficult to find pockets of the sandy soil deep enough for their roots to quickly get established. As a result, survival rate has been extremely low. As we age planning for a future when we are no longer able to travel down from Dorrigo when the Bush regen days may even then cease, we decided it best to plant tough species able to survive untended in need. Plants that grew dense enough to also restrict weed growth were beneficial. Lomandras were an ideal choice as they are able to cope with both drought and excessive moisture and make it difficult for weeds to also succeed.
As a bonus Lomandras are the foodplant for caterpillars of various butterflies including the common large skipper butterfly the Splendid Ochre Trapezites symmomus. With world insect populations rapidly declining and many species facing extinction from extensive chemical spraying, habitat clearing and climate change, anything we can do to help slow this decline is vital and is to be welcomed.
