The guided walk this Saturday is the final event in a project recently completed by Bundagen Cooperative with National Parks and Wildlife Service to help protect and restore rainforests, swamp forests and threatened species funded by the Environmental Trust .

The focus of the project is Bundagen Cooperative - which has a Voluntary Conservation Agreement covering 147 ha of their landholding, the largest on the NSW coast - and the surrounding Bongil Bongil National Park. Over 200 ha of the Endangered Ecological Community Littoral rainforest is found in this locality and Bongil Bongil National Park has two of the largest and most diverse patches in NSW. The project has targeted 68.5 ha of these.

Weeds occurring in and around the Littoral rainforest including Lantana, Glory Lily, Coastal Morning Glory, Bitou Bush and introduced pasture grasses have been controlled to maintain the integrity of these important ecosystems.

The other focus of the project is to help protect and expand the habitat for the “endangered” Rainforest senna (Senna acclinis). One of the largest known populations of this plant is found within the project area.

“One of the threats to Rainforest senna is the growth and spread of the almost identical introduced plant Winter senna (Senna pendula)” NPWS Senior Ranger Pests Tim Scanlon said.

“Both Senna acclinis and Senna pendula have been found growing near each other and careful identification was required before control programs occurred” Mr Scanlon said.

Information detailing the key differences between Rainforest senna and its look-alikes will be available on the day of the walk. To follow the walk a delicious, vegetarian lunch at the recently renovated Bundagen Mainhouse will also be provided for participants.

The field day is being held on Saturday 25th June. For more information contact Janelle Huxley on 6653 4595. There are limited numbers so you will need to be quick!