Reefcare Report: A Lucky Break in the Weather 🌿🌞

Early start, big impact. Our amazing Reefcare crew gearing up in the carpark before heading out to protect and restore Long Reef’s dunes and bushland.

After a week of rain, we were lucky to have a beautiful, sunny day with barely any wind — perfect conditions for our working bee. Denise, Misima, Kathy, and Lisa spent the morning in the eastern dune area, with Alex joining after doing some follow-up on Turkey Rhubarb and Asparagus Fern. We continued removing non-native Pigface from the small bowl-like area we began restoring three months ago and planted 20 tube stock in the space.

Volunteers got their hands dirty removing Pigface, tackling Asparagus Fern, and planting native tube stock to help restore the dunes.

Despite the spread of Hydrocotyle bonariensis due to recent rains, we’re confident our new plantings will thrive and outcompete, as it’s the growing season.

Julie focused her efforts at the top of the site, tirelessly working to remove Asparagus Fern — crowning, scraping, and poisoning where needed — and also cleared more Pigface from that area.

Merrilyn was on the move across the site on her own Asparagus Fern mission. It’s everywhere — about one every step or two — but thanks to her vigilance, we’re catching many of them early while they’re still small.

Gen and Brad worked down in the gully, cutting back Bitou where full removal isn’t possible due to the fragile cliffs, and continued clearing Pigface from our planting zones.

We were joined at morning tea by Michael Kneipp from Northern Beaches Council, who visited to discuss two key areas of concern. He was pleased with the progress in the eastern dunes but shared some reservations about sections in the far western part of the site. Lisa and Kathy assured him that Reefcare will take these concerns into account in planning and prioritising future work, particularly around the western gully.

Refuel and reconnect. Our Reefcare team pausing for morning tea after a solid few hours of conservation care at Long Reef.

A big thank you to everyone who came out — your dedication is making a real difference. 💚