Lennox Landcare Profile

Landcare volunteers take on vegetation restoration works and bring their skills, experience and dedication to target weeds and promote natives species in a number of locations throughout Ballina Shire.

Lennox Head Landcare are an enthusiastic group who have been operating since 1999. Although they boast strong numbers they enjoy welcoming new members to the team. There are 10 locations currently being worked on by the group, stretching from Skennars Head to Ross Lane.

When we visited Lennox Head Landcare at Lake Ainsworth they were a little camera shy. But once we weeded them out from their work removing a passionfruit vine which had tangled its way up the trunk of a Coastal banksia and dealing with an outbreak of fishbone fern, they had plenty of laughs, history and anecdotes to share.

It is no secret Lake Ainsworth is widely loved by many visitors and the local community. Due to this love there are a number of issues that set it apart from other sites.

A HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF LAKE AINWORTH

Lake Ainsworth is a significant Bundjalung site. According to Bundjalung Legend, one of the Founding Three Brothers, Yarbirri, created the lake by thrusting a spear into the sand. Historically, the lake was also a sacred Aboriginal women’s water hole and birthing place.

In more recent times, the lake was named after James Ainsworth (1843-1924), a farmer who was one of the first European settlers to the area. The Gibbon family also resided on the southern side until the late 1970s.

Today the lake continues to draw many visitors and locals who enjoy the ti-tree stained freshwater for relaxation, rejuvenation, swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

It is also a popular place for family and friends to gather on the grassy spots under the shade of the ti-trees.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO MANAGE THE BUSH AT THE LAKE AINSWORTH SITE?

With the popularity of the lake comes the cost of heavy usage and the resultant introduction of environmental weeds that Landcare continually tackle. It is a common misconception that it is okay to throw food waste such as banana skins and passionfruit seeds on the ground but some food waste, particularly seeds, can easily germinate and cause havoc to natives.

Other weeds are introduced from a variety human activities around the lake. Seeds and weeds drop from vehicles and from watercraft that have visited other places, stormwater run-off can also introduce weeds and, sadly, we also see instances of blatant rubbish dumping.

When Landcare first began working around the lake the south-western corner lake was covered with lantana. The group have worked over many years and have managed to replace the lantana with native bush propagated from local seed.

The western side of the lake, along Camp Drewe Road, was also infested with weeds including another garden escapee, the Queensland Umbrella Tree. Landcare continually monitor this side of the lake to prevent reinfestation of this and a number of other weeds.

NOT JUST WEEDS AND VEGETATION ON THE LAND, BUT ALSO WATER QUALITY

Not all of their work is done on land. They also manage outbreaks of Water Hyacinth, calling on members to break out their surfboards, kayaks and SUPs to spot and collect vast masses of this weed during the summer months. Water Hyacinth can double in size every five-days in a good growing season and has been known to totally cover areas much larger than the lake. The group is helping to keep the water clear for the whole community.

IT’S A BALANCING ACT

The lake is so popular and loved for it’s natural beauty that the challenge is balancing human recreation with preserving the vegetation to keep the lake and surrounds as natural, clean and healthy as possible. Everyday actions can have a major impact on Lake Ainsworth and its surrounds so we respectfully ask visitors and locals to:

* dispose of picnic waste appropriately (including fruit and vegetable waste). Best to take your waste with you and dispose of it in the domestic kerbside bins.

* don’t let dogs swim in the lake. Use the off-leash beach area north of the surf club

* leave vegetation, soil, sand and rocks where they are.

This will help to protect the lake and it’s surrounds today and for future generations.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CREW?

Being involved in a Landcare group is a great way to learn about local landscapes and to connect with your community.

But be warned, at the Lennox Head Landcare sessions, the conversation flows thick and fast, ranging over just about everything you can think of. There are many laughs and the locations are stunning!

They finish each session with coffee…and, on top of that, the feeling you have made a difference.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?…

Telephone: Shaun 0448 221 210

Email: lennoxheadlandcare@gmail.com

lennoxlandcare.org