What is Bushcare?

Bushcare is a community-based program in which volunteers help regenerate and preserve Woollahra's bushland, with the assistance and support of Council staff. Through the Bushcare program we work to protect local bio-diversity, natural ecosystems and preserve the habitat of native flora and fauna.

Bushcare provides an opportunity for the community to learn about our local environment and to get involved in managing and maintaining our native bushland. 

Becoming a Bushcare Volunteer

Anyone over the age of 15 is invited to become a Bushcare volunteer. Our Bushcare volunteers include local residents, retirees, businesses, community groups, school groups and tertiary students. All you need is an interest in protecting the local environment and a few spare hours a week, fortnight or month. As a Bushcare Volunteer you will help to ensure the future ecological sustainability and natural beauty of the Woollahra municipality.

Our Bushcare volunteers receive a copy of our quarterly newsletter 'The Bush Telegraph' (PDF File, 525kb), certificates of participation and achievement and are provided with all necessary tools and equipment, morning and/or afternoon tea and site supervision.

Volunteers also receive Bushcare training, including a Bushcare Manual and will learn about:

• the value of urban bushland
• threats to urban bushland ecosystems
• plant identification
• weed identification and removal techniques
• revegetation techniques
• bushland site analysis
• OH&S awareness

To find out more about Bushcare contact

Rudi Adlmayer
Bushcare Liaison Officer
Phone: 0423 020 648
Email: bushcare@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

Waterwise Woollahra

Being waterwise is a crucial aim of the Woollahra Bushcare program. There are many things we can all do to conserve water and keep our gardens healthy:

• Plant waterwise or low water use plants, both native and exotic. Locally endemic species are ideal for local conditions, however there are a range of dry climate species and cultivars from other parts of Australia and all over the world which can reduce your watering needs
• Mulch with woodchip or leaf litter over garden beds and tree surrounds to save water. This will conserve water, suppress weeds and supply nutrients to your plants. Woollahra Council offers FREE woodchip mulch to residents. You can collect your woodchip mulch from the Colleagues car park in Manion Avenue, Rose Bay
• Drip irrigation rather than traditional sprinklers will deliver an appropriate volume of water to the root zone without spray drift, evaporation or wetting unnecessary areas
• Hand-water rather than use sprinklers and sweep driveways and paths rather than hosing and
• Water in cooler parts of the day.

Learn more about Water Restrictions