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.
Volunteer Nicky Rolls takes a break from weeding on Currumbin. Photo Leanne Hales.
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.'
Brush-tailed Possum at Currumbin Valley Reserve. Photo Wayne Lawler / EcoPix.
'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.'