Vision

"Bringing back the bush is a gentle art, demanding strong will and patience." - Joan Bradley

The remnant bushland in Andrews Reserve is a prized resource in the local community, used heavily by families, walkers, dog-owners, runners and cyclists, as well as Magpies, Rainbow Lorikeets, Grass Parrots, Ring-tailed possums, Blue-tongued lizards and snakes.

Friends of Andrews Reserve has been set up by local community members who have been using and enjoying this little bit of wilderness in the middle of the city for a number of years. Setting up this group declares our intention to give something back to the bush.

As we've explored this area we've noted that there are patches of high quality, relatively undisturbed bush interspersed with areas tangled with common weeds such as Blackberry, Madeira-vine, Tradescantia and Flax-leaved Broom. We plan to work from the areas where we have observed that native species dominate, removing weeds and rubbish and creating the space and conditions for them to thrive. Among the native species we've identified so far are: Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera), spiny-head mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), small-leaved clematis (Clematis microphylla) and liverworts (Marchantiophyta).

This method, working from areas of good bush toward areas dominated by weeds was described by the Bradley sisters in 1988. In Bringing Back the Bush they describe the precise, patient work of gently freeing native bush from weeds and the gratification of observing native plants regenerate and native fauna return and prosper. Thirty years on, this method is never-more appropriate, as it invites us to build a deep and enduring connection with our much-loved local landscape.

Goal

We aim to:
1. Improve the integrity of Andrews Reserve by:
• removing weeds to restore native vegetation communities and support habitat
• clearing rubbish
• improving water flows to reduce erosion and weed introduction.

2. Raise public awareness of the value of Andrews Reserve by:
• talking to Andrews Reserve users about what we are doing
• inviting participation in appropriate ways.

3. Raise community consciousness about the value of taking environmental action by encouraging community members, and particularly children to:
• to identify some native species
• cut back on waste and reduce litter
• take action by removing common weed species as they navigate their own environments.

4. Building community engagement and commitment to bush regeneration by:
• making contact with other bush regeneration and local environmental groups
• working with Parks Victoria
• maintaining an Instagram presence to document and celebrate our work and build network around it.

To become a volunteer, register with ParkConnect.