We are volunteers from the Tuggeranong community who get a lot of satisfaction from looking after “our Hill”- doing our best to reduce invasive weeds, planting shrubs, trees and grasses and protecting locally endangered species. 10 – 15 of us regularly meet on the second Sunday of the month, 9am – 12.00am at various access points around the Reserve. We work to an annual plan targeting high value conservation areas. It always surprises us how much we achieve in one morning. We mainly cut and ‘dab’ woody weeds and pull out invasive garden escapees. We also have a Vegwatch site which we monitor annually. We provide all the tools and know how needed to have a safe and productive morning. We have been continuously operative since 2017, after a brief flowering from 2004 – 2007.
Friends of Tuggeranong Hill with the Landcare for our Future Group. September 2020.
Our Achievements
Since 2017 we have returned yearly to approximately 10 sites. Our work is evident as we return and contain new growth in select species. We have significantly reduced Spanish lavender in two of our sites, both of which are Pink Tailed Worm Lizard habitats. We have substantially decreased the amount of seed-bearing privet and hawthorn across the reserve, as well as tackled most of the large blackberry patches this year. Because the reserve has high biodiversity, it is often a case of getting the weeds out of the way so that native plants have a chance to flourish. It’s very satisfying, and a number of our group weed outside of the regular work parties. We have a facebook page where our activities are posted.
Current projects
We focus primarily on weed infestations including Briar Rose, Hawthorn, Privet, African Lovegrass and Verbascum,
New incursions from surrounding suburbs such as Lavender, Honeysuckle, Blackberry,Tree of Heaven, African Daisy, Euphorbia are targeted wherever they occur.
Goals for the future
We aim to increase our membership, continuing our friendly and inclusive approach, which includes providing a thorough orientation to the weeds targeted and enjoying a morning tea break in every work party. We would like to build the capacity of our group to care for sensitive areas, and work in partnership with Indigenous groups in areas such as the Theodore Axe Grinding Grooves.
Biodiversity of Tuggeranong Hill
Tuggeranong Hill Reserve was established in 1993 and covers 365 hectares. It protects:
• a large woodland/forest area important for regional wildlife movement
• nationally critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland
• an important habitat for woodland birds
• a large area of Drooping She-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) open forest, including some old-growth areas, which are a food source for the vulnerable Glossy Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)
• a significant population of the vulnerable Pale Pomaderris (Pomaderris pallida)
• a significant population of the vulnerable Pink-tailed Worm-lizard (Aprasia parapulchella).
• Aboriginal grinding grooves which are listed on the ACT Heritage Register
More info
Friends of Tuggeranong Hill Parkcare Group hold their working bees every second Sunday of the month.
The group undertakes a range of activities, such as weed mapping and control, erosion control, rubbish removal, raising community awareness and flora and fauna surveys, in the Tuggeranong Hill Nature Reserve.
Priorities will focus primarily on weed infestations from surrounding suburbs, including Briar Rose, Hawthorn, Privet, African Lovegrass and Verbascum, and erosion.
New incursions such as Lavender, Honeysuckle, Blackberry, Rosemary, Tree of Heaven, African Daisy, Euphorbia will also be targeted wherever they occur.
For more information about working bees or the group, contact communications@sactcg.org.au or the SACTCG office on (02) 62966400.
Check out the all the species that have been spotted in Tuggeranong Hill using Canberra Nature Map’s Digital Field Guide
How to get involved
Our volunteers are all ages. We welcome everyone.
Contact: friendstugghill@yahoo.com or contact SACTCG at communications@sactcg.org.au
For more info check out the Facebook Page
Contact the Friends of Tuggeranong Hill directly