SOWN mapping remnant rainforest Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN) has begun mapping all the remnant rainforest plants in The Gap using the app iNaturalist during stage one of a project to preserve our endangered rainforest. Starting near the base of Enoggera Reservoir the SOWN volunteers, assisted by Habitat Brisbane officers Jodi Rees and Brendan McIntyre and botanist Dr Rob Price, photographed old-growth trees, identified the species and recorded data such as the diameter of the trunk at the base. SOWN President Renée McGlashan said all observations added to iNaturalist were shared locally and globally. “Observations are added to the global iNaturalist database and shared with the Atlas of Living Australia and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. “SOWN will be using the observations to help us choose the best locations for planting and select appropriate plants,” she said. The mapping event called “Walk the Creek” was the first of several walks with the next planned for the Watercress Farm Bushcare Site at Allamanda Street The Gap 9 am till 12 noon on 14 July. Local naturalists are encouraged to join in. Renée said another way for
Habitat Brisbane officers and SOWN volunteers map remnant vegetation using iNaturalist. PHOTO: Renée McGlashan
community members to get involved was to volunteer at a community planting event. The next planting is at 9 am till 11 am on Saturday 9 July behind the Yoorala Street Community Garden 98 Yoorala Street The Gap. Renée said SOWN had 3000 plants to go in the ground in only two hours which will make it one of the largest
community plantings ever held at The Gap. “This is a proactive way for community members to get involved in saving our rainforest,” she said. Coffee will be available on-site and there will be a free sausage sizzle. See sown.com.au for more information and details on future events.
Mitchelton & Districts Garden Club
All being well the next meeting of the Mitchelton and Districts Garden Club Inc. will take place at the Enoggera Memorial Hall on Thursday morning, 4th August. Entrance to the hall is at 36 Trundle Street, Enoggera. The hall is accessible by wheelchair and close to public transport. The guest speaker is Matt, a representative from Rocky Point Production, a company which produces all types of potting mixes, mulches, etc. to enhance the garden and its surroundings. The company’s mission is to make Earth a better place to live, by growing and producing healthy and sustainable products. (If you would like to read more about ‘Rocky Point’, their history, products and stockists go to https://rockypoint.com.au
It’s not far away from the middle of winter and during this season hosing the garden should be limited. When needed, only hose between the hours of 9am and 4pm because any moisture on the ground or plants will encourage fungi and mould to develop. There could be powdery mildew already developing on your sweet peas, calendulas or roses. Dusting sulphur is a treatment to use or you could spray both sides of the leaves with a mixture of one part full cream milk and ten parts water. This mixture will not keep,so just make enough for the current job. Keep checking your citrus trees for signs of the gall wasp and the citrus leafminer. If you discover some, prune off the offenders. The cuttings should go in a plastic bag in the garbage bin. Liquid fertiliser could be applied to
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vegetable plants to ensure steady growth. Meetings commence immediately after morning tea which is served at 9.45 a.m. VisItors and new members are most welcome. There is a lucky door prize, continuous raffle and plant exchange table. For more information please phone Pat, the president, on 3356 1256.
The Western Echo July 2022 Page 29
