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Blue Gum Hills bush regeneration

Blue Gum Hills Regional Park

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Overview

Join up

Are you a history buff? Do you enjoy gardening? Volunteer with Blue Gum Hills Landcare group and help clear the way for native vegetation in Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, near Newcastle.

Work
Bush regeneration, weed and pest management
When

3rd Saturday of every month

Accessibility
Medium
Grade
Medium
Join up

Help stop weeds from invading this historical environment on the NSW North Coast. During this volunteer activity, we’ll work together to clear the site for the next planting, and make sure these new plants are surviving.

While we’re removing weeds, you’ll get to see the heritage old rail corridor that serviced the JA Brown collieries in the late 1800s. We’ll talk about open-cut mining, and how it degraded native bush in the area in the mid-1900s.

The Blue Gum Hills Landcare group has been clearing massive weed infestations (largely lantana) along the old rail corridor for over a decade. As a result, Heritage walking track has been transformed into a pleasant walk in the park. Featuring trees that are up to 4m high, with understorey plantings and native vegetation.

As we move along the track, you’ll see the section of the rail corridor where pit ponies would have pulled the coal hoppers. You might even catch a glimpse of the lyre birds or glossy black cockatoos that frequent the area. After working for about 3hrs, we’ll share some morning tea with a hot cuppa.

Remember to wear closed shoes, a long sleeve shirt and pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a raincoat, snacks, lunch, drinking water and gardening gloves. Tools and a hardhat are supplied.

Find out more about volunteering with us

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

 

Volunteer for bushfire recovery

Following this season's unprecedented bushfires, you can register your interest to help the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Saving our Species program rehabilitate and protect our threatened animals and plants.

Volunteers planting in Tomaree National Park. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

 

Saving Our Species program

Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Saving our Species is a statewide conservation program that addresses the growing number of Australian animals and Australian native plants facing extinction.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a tree. Photo: Courtesy of Taronga Zoo/OEH