Protection for Bindaree Bush

DEC has agreed to fence the fragile Bindaree Bush Forever Site while a weeding program is undertaken. The fence has discouraged unleashed dogs from entering the area and adding fertilizer which kills native plants and encourages weeds.

The fence has sent a signal that the bush has value and needs to be cared for by the locals. The better the quality of the bush the higher the value of the surrounding properties. It is hoped to sign all the native plants to provide an aid to education for local schools.

NEWS
Friends of Yellagonga offered to finance a fence to protect this small patch of biodiversity to celebrate 2010 the year of biodiversity.
The dept. of Environment and Conservation refused the offer.
The Friends have not given up and will continue to fight to preserve this last remaining patch of genuine bush in the Lake Goollelal precinct.

This orchid appeared after removal of Veldt grass.
I hope I can get a better picture next year.

LATEST NEWS

The Joondalup Council has relinquished the lease back to DEC and Friends of Yellagonga can now begin the process of applying to DEC to look after the fragile bush area.

In the meantime most of the pelagonium weed and a high proportion of the wild gladiolus have been removed. It will take another two or three years of effort to remove the last remaining ones.
A specimen of Pterophile linearis ( Pixie Mops) was noted as another species to add to the biodiversity list for Bindaree Bush.
SInce Jill Pryde of DEC did the original list, eight more species have been added.

The 'not so common' catspaw. Found in one small patch of ground in Bindaree Bush clinging to a precarious existance. The last representative of a species in the Lake Goollelal reserve that would have been once very wide spread.

Catspaw are difficult to raise from seed or transplant. My observation is that they prefer nutrient deficient soil, growing best in sandy soil.

plant in its context pterostylis aff. sanguinea