OzFish Clarence Chapter is working with Clarence Valley Landcare, Bellingen Nature Company, The Biodiversity Doctor, and OzFish Coffs Harbour Chapter to restore the fire damaged Gondwana rainforest and support native species in and around the Blicks River. Donate to OzFish today to help projects like this one across Australia.
Restore 7.5kms of riparian zone
Plant 2,450 native trees and shrubs
Remove invasive weeds, including privet
Repairing significant fire damage
The project zone is in the Black Scrub area, one of the largest sections of remaining Gondwana rainforest. The area, along the Blicks River, was devastated by fires in 2019 / 20 having a significant impact on native vegetation, fish, and other wildlife.
Volunteers will firstly remove invasive weeds, principally privet, before planting 2,450 trees and shrubs native to the Gondwana rainforest along the river’s edge. This will restore a 7.5kms stretch of riparian zone and help to improve habitat and water quality through reducing soil runoff, erosion, and providing a source of shelter, shade, and food.
The Gondwana rainforest is an old-growth forest with high biodiversity and the project will benefit fish such as the eastern freshwater cod and Australian bass, and other animals such as greater gliders, koalas, glossy black cockatoos, green-thighed frogs, and platypus.
Ongoing monitoring
Once the weeds are removed and new vegetation planted, the work isn’t done. Volunteers will continue to maintain the project area and conduct citizen science to monitor the impact that the restoration is having.
Donate to OzFish today to help projects like this one across Australia.
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The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare NSW, with funding support from NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Inc (WIRES), NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
