In August 2023, Sustaining the Williams Valley Inc. fenced the riparian zone along Abbotts Flat to begin rehabilitating the south side of the Williams River in Dungog. The resilience of the ecosystem is now apparent and the group has been witnessing the natural regeneration occurring.
Landcarer Catherine Craig describes the surprising transformation, “This area now has Weeping Lilly Pilly trees regenerating vigorously, both the old ones reshooting, and a mass of young ones growing from the seed. There are also ferns, ground covers, Carex, the odd Trema and the odd Lomandra! We had 6 weeders down at Abbotts Flat on the bank near the gate this afternoon, and we are making great progress getting rid of the privet and other weeds as they are pulling up easily.”
Fellow SWV Inc. landcarer Sam Bean who coordinates weekly Weedy Wednesdays says, “It’s been really wonderful weeding in the new section over the past couple of weeks. I think I can speak on behalf of the group when I say that it’s been magical uncovering all of the new seedlings, and carefully weeding around to give them a little bit of space to really thrive. Positive signs after some setbacks. But that’s the beauty and the beast of landcare.”
To volunteer contact sustainingwilliamsvalley@gmail.com