Here is a patch of dunes immediately to the west of our shack. Most of the plants were propagated from local seeds*.
Rabbits have been and are the enemy. It has taken a quarter of a century to revegetate this one small section: a reminder that natural systems are easier to preserve than restore.
The dunes stretch north and south; there is plenty of work to do….more than enough to last a lifetime. But I am encouraged to note signs of progress. Olearia seedlings are popping up here and there. The Isolepsis (renamed Ficinia, for reasons unknown) – or Knobby Club Rush – is spreading. Coastal spinifex and Muntries put out their long shoots.
The seed bank is restored, to some degree – and looking south-west towards Rapid Bay Head, I can almost imagine I am back in the late 1950’s, when the dune system was relatively untouched….
*Knobby Club Rush (Ficinia nodosa); Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii): Coastal lignum (Muehlenbeckia gunnii); Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana); Dune Fan-flower (Scaevola calendulacea); Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae); Coastal saltbush (Atriplex cinerea); Muntries (Kunzea pomifera); Cushion Bush ((Leucophyta brownii); Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axillaris); Coastal Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus); Spreading Flax-lily (Dianella revoluta); Coast Bitter-bush (Adriana klotzschii).
Wonderful restoration Chris. Quite an achievement.
Greetings Steve. The birds are abundant….always a good sign.
Dune restoration is a bit like painting Sydney Harbour Bridge – and watching paint dry!
I love just knowing that you are there at Lady Bay Christopher. Doing dunes rehabilitation with such patience. You boost my spirits when I occasionally feel defeated by the task ahead. Again, thanks for being there!
Thankyou David. That is kind of you. I am fortunate to be living at Lady Bay – and fortunate to have the opportunity to do something practical and ‘hands-on’….just an extension of being a craftsman!
A long time coming, but deeply worth it, a valuable achievement. I wonder if you have any old photos of the area to compare these with.
Thanks Geoff – good thought. I will search through my hardcopy and ‘digital’ photos.
Wonderful environment Chris. You are blessed indeed to live there and more blessed to be the caretaker.
Thankyou Sneha. Yes, the dunes and beach provide a safe haven – but they must also be protected!
Looks great, Christopher.