BLOG 07/06/2018
Volunteers create butterfly habitat
A small team of dedicated volunteers have been planting vines to create habitat for Richmond Birdwing Butterflies on Currumbin Reserve in south-east Queensland.
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Quandongs and leaf litter on the forest floor at Currumbin. Photo Wayne Lawler/EcoPix.
Currumbin Valley
Established:
2000
Area:
4 ha
Location:
100km S of Brisbane, QLD
Traditional Owners:
Yugambeh people
Tucked into the hinterland of Queensland’s bustling Gold Coast lies Currumbin Valley Reserve, a tiny patch of regenerating rainforest protected from the nearby frenzy of development.
Long before human intervention reshaped this area, Currumbin Valley was part of the extensive rainforests of south-east Queensland.
Now, together with the adjacent Nicoll Scrub National Park, it protects a rare remnant of forest cover.
Although there’s evidence of past logging, Currumbin Reserve still harbours rare plants, such as the nationally endangered Sweet Myrtle and several nationally vulnerable species of macadamia.
It also plays an important role as a conservation buffer for the national park, which is known habitat for the vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, and shows evidence of Long-nosed Bandicoots, Green Catbirds, Scrub Turkeys and a number of honeyeater species.
An environmental legacy
We have a local beekeeper and flower grower to thank for Curumbin Valley Reserve.
Dr Alex Griffiths, who passed away in July 1998, is fondly remembered for his unwavering devotion to the welfare of birds and conservation of the environment. He bequeathed Currumbin Valley to Bush Heritage in his Will and founded the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which he also donated to the people of Australia.
What Currumbin Reserve protects
Plants: Smooth-shelled Macadamia (naturally vulnerable), Rough-shelled Macadamia (nationally vulnerable), Black Walnut, Fine-leaved Tuckeroo, Smooth Scrub Turpentine.
Animals: Currumbin Reserve protects a list of species similar to that found in the adjoining Nicoll Scrub National Park, including the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, Long-nosed Bandicoots, and Green Catbirds.
What we’re doing
With a small group of dedicated local volunteers and technical advice from The University of Queensland, we’re hosting a project to increase habitat for the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. We’re doing this by planting the main food vine that these butterflies need to survive and breed successfully. We’re also removing invasive weeds to improve the habitat for butterflies and other native species.
The large number of invasive weeds found at Currumbin Valley Reserve is testament to the amount of human disturbance in the area.
Of the 71 weed species found on the property, those of most concern are infestations of Lantana and smothering weeds such as Perennial Soybean – a native African plant introduced into Australia as cattle fodder.
Camphor Laurels, which can colonise and dominate regenerating and open forest, are also a major concern.
On the steep slopes we’ve had to remove weeds with great sensitivity and care to prevent further erosion. The good news is that following our efforts to remove weeds, the recovering and mature rainforest is effectively shading them out.
Impressions of Currumbin
When wildlife photographer Wayne Lawler spent a couple of weeks working at Currumbin, he was mesmerised by its hidden treasures.
“Currumbin is only about four hectares, yet it has such a concentration of biodiversity that size is no measure of its conservation value.”
“Lower down you encounter a band of tall Brush Box Forest, then proper Subtropical Rainforest, before you reach the leafy creek flat at the foot of the slope complete with a Piccabeen Palm Grove.”
“The highlights of my visit were the many wildlife encounters, including my daytime sighting of a magnificent All-black Mountain Possum with young, nestled in the cleft of an old rainforest tree deep in the reserve.”
Stories from Currumbin Valley
BLOG 19/12/2015
Christmas at Currumbin
Volunteer program staff across the country have hosted end-of-year celebrations to thank those who've actively supported our work throughout the year. At Currumbin Valley Reserve in South East Queensland this included a tree planting, a bush walk and a stirring Welcome to Country.
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BLOG 31/08/2015
Volunteers caring for Currumbin
On Saturday 22nd August a team of seven willing weeders headed down to Currumbin Reserve, nestled beside Nicoll Scrub National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland for the first ever working bee at this small but significant patch of remnant forest.
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