Garrad Reserve NATURE TREASURE HUNT
Looking for something to do with the kids this school holidays? Keen to break the lock down blues?
Join us for a treasure hunt, through Garrad Reserve, Narrawallee and learn about the natural secrets it holds. Search, touch, smell, listen and taste this bushland. Find out what would be lost if land like this was cleared.
Clue #2
Head along the gravel path until you reach the green tree swing. How many different bird songs can you hear? Can you hear a whip bird? Can you spot the snake orchid growing out of the branches up high?
Clue #3
Continue along the path until you reach the boardwalk over the water. Is this a creek, a wetland or a swamp? Read all about this on the signpost. Notice how cool it is now? Has the vegetation changed?
Clue #4
Stop at the bridge. Can you hear any frogs?
Clue #5
Continue up the hill until you reach a bend in the path. In front, you will see cleared forest which is now housing development. ☹
Keep to the right and stop to gaze up at the giant Blackbutt tree. Isn’t it a beauty! How old do you think it is? How many nesting hollows can you count?
Clue #6
Pass by the fallen and chain-sawed trees. ☹ Why do you think these trees have fallen down?
Click here for a fun activity which helps you find out how old a tree is.
Clue #7
Continue along the path and look for spiky plants. Can you spotto this Aotus ericoides, also known as common aotus or golden pea? It’s a pea but don’t eat it.
Can you spot 2 more yellow flowering plants on your way?
Clue #8
The path dips downhill and the vegetation changes again. What do you notice? Is it cooler? Can you see any diggings on the edge of the track? Little Bandicoots live in this area. Can you spotto these thick climbing monkey vines (Parsonsia straminea)? Do you think these plants are trying to reach the sun?
Clue #9
Cross the bridge and keep an eye out for me along the next section. I’m commonly called Sandfly Zieria. Crush one of my leaves and have a smell. What does this smells like to you?
Clue #10
Can you spotto a Cycad? These plants were around when the dinosaurs roamed here! This prehistoric species is over 10 million years old.
Clue #11
Head uphill and have a look opposite the two burnt trees. This plant is called a Hairy Clerodendrum. Feel how soft and furry the underside of the leaves are! Did you know this is a rainforest plant?
Clue #12
When the path splits, head right for a quick trip down to the inlet before you head home. [If you turn left, you will eventually reach Lot 29].
When you reach the inlet look for the mangroves. Do you know what the little shoots are for? These are called Pneumatophores and are special roots that poke above the water to help the plants breathe.
Clue #13
When you reach the water’s edge, please sit quietly, close your eyes, listen to the sounds and breathe in the smells. How does this make you feel?
Why is it important to our health? What would be lost if this was developed?
Clue #14
Head home the way you came. Read the sign posts and take in all the beautiful things you just learnt about. Contemplate how important this land is to our community.
Have you got any bites along the way? Look out for the new shoots of the soft bracken plant. Crush these and rub them on the itch to soothe.
Please send us a photo of any other precious species you see along the way – Powerful owls, Glossy Black Cockatoos and Sea Eagles also live in here. Info@treadinglightly.org.au
Lot 29 (ie. the block of land which has been earmarked for development) adjoins Garrad Reserve and contains similar flora and fauna. Precious biodiversity stores and critical wildlife corridors would be lost if this land was cleared.
Don’t forget to write to our parliamentarians to let them know how important this is.
- The Hon. Shelley Hancock, Minister for Local Government (Nowra) – southcoast@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- The Hon. Matt Kean, Minister for the Environment. Contact Minister Kean via https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-energy-and-environment
PAST EVENTS
Gateway Community Sculpture workshops
We were proud to partner with local Nowra artist, Dora Rognvaldsdottir to host community workshops, at our Treading Lightly Community Hub during June 2021.
Participants were able to contribute to a public art sculpture that focuses on the 2019 – 2020 bushfires. They helped to create ceramic and mosaic panels of local native animals which will be integrated into the amazing sculpture by Dora. The final product will be erected at Ulladulla Harbour.
Participants were able to contribute to a public art sculpture that focuses on the 2019 – 2020 bushfires. They helped to create ceramic and mosaic panels of local native animals which will be integrated into the amazing sculpture by Dora. The final product will be erected at Ulladulla Harbour.
This was an important platform for fire affected communities to create together, a beautiful artwork that we can all be proud of.
