Reefcare Report: Weeding and planting tube stock

Reefcare Reports

5 July

July Reefcare was a beautiful sunny day where 8 volunteers joined us along with our supervisor Mahi.

Julie, Brad Jennie and Misima began by doing a sweep of the eastern slope removing various weeds that had popped up since the last Reefcare session, including asparagus fern, bitou and african fire weed. We found a large bitou weed taking over native bushes but we were able to remove it.

Mahi remained at the top of the site weeding asparagus fern.

Lisa and some other volunteers planted tube stock in different locations at the top and northern end of the grass slope. It was great to see that the tube stocks that had previously been planted were growing and looked stable.

Leila and Alex spent the morning weeding turkey rhubarb and they managed to remove two very large bulbs and many smaller ones.

At 10:30 Jennie and Julie left and then we met up at the top of the site for morning tea with Lisa, Brad, Mahi, Alex, Leila and Misima. Mahi kindly brought lamingtons and cinnamon tea for the group to share.

Mahi, Misima, Alex, Leila, Brad and Lisa (taking photo) at morning tea.

After morning tea Brad had to leave and then Mahi stayed at the top continuing to weed asparagus fern while the rest of us headed down to the bottom of the slope. Leila and Alex continue weeding turkey rhubarb and other weeds in the area. Lisa and Misima planted 5 more tub stock at the bottom in the grass to try and regenerate the area as it has been repeatedly trampled by parties and paragliders who are not allowed to use the area. They then remove large patches of burr medic.