‘It is the trees who bring me the answers. Or, rather, the right questions. Trees have their own language, booming from the bone, singing in their sap, sighing on the wind – most of the time we’re just not listening’

That quote is from Understory. A life with trees by Nature Writer Inga Simpson. Inga grew up in Grenfell and I was lucky enough to meet and be taught by her at a recent Nature Writing day hosted by our neighbours at Weddin Landcare as part of the Henry Lawson Festival.

I definitely feel I’ve been shaped & inspired by the trees I’ve grown up around and am always looking for opportunities to go out and hug a few more. If that sounds like you, and you’re passionate about restoring Box Gum Grassy Woodland & other bird-friendly habitat read on!

Spring Forest Planting with the Cowra Woodland Birds Group:

The Cowra Woodland Bird Program survey group (a long running Birdlife Australia program) is having a tree & shrub planting event on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July at ‘Spring Forest’, a private property with a conservation covenant. They would love your help, welcoming any other helpers to assist getting some plants in the ground!

This is the second planting on this 50 hectare paddock site, which connects to rare flatland ironbark and woodland habitat. Approximately 300 trees/ shrubs were planted last year and they are hoping to plant and guard another 600 this July.

During the last two day planting get-together, in April 2024, 75 bird species were noted, including Barking Owl, Hooded Robin, Diamond Firetail, Turquoise & Superb Parrots and Black-chinned Honeyeater. Just to name a few!

Spring Forest is approx. 25km south of Cowra. Volunteers are welcome to come and join in both days or drop in for an hour or two across the event – every little helps. For anyone thinking of volunteering for the two days, there is camping available on site but note, it’s fully self-contained as there are no services out there. Otherwise there are lots of accomodation options in and around Cowra including the Cowra Holiday Park which gives discounts for birders if you mention you’re with our project.

Tracee and I will be heading over there for one of the days so we hope to see you there but for further questions about Spring Forest Planting please contact the project co-ordinator Dave.

Spring Forest Project Coordinator Contact: Dave Taylor by email: david (at) taylorecology (dot) net – writing it like that prevents spam apparently!

Glossy Black Cockatoo Project Planting:

This project is part of getting more than 80,000 trees and plants in the ground across Australia and has been made possible due to generous funding from Bupa and Landcare Australia, and it’s linking environmental health with community wellbeing. Locally Mid Lachlan Landcare are delivering this project with the help of Eugowra Catchment Landcare & Kangarooby Landcare.

We’re planting between Conimbla & Nangar National Parks on private property to boost habitat connectivity & enhance feeding opportunities across the corridoor by planting the Glossy’s favoured feed trees (She Oaks) plus complimentary understory species & nesting trees.

Saturday 21st June with Eugowra Catchment Landcare in Mandagery from 10am – 1pm. Book here

Saturday 5th July in Canowindra from 10am- 1pm – This event is now full, so thank you!

And our last planting date for this project is:

Saturday 19th July on the Nangar road from 10am – 1pm. Book here