Your Landcare Group recognises that the Geary's Gap/Wamboin/Bywong area is part of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Area. It was once dry sclerophyll forest and woodland dominated by eucalypts such as box, stringybark, peppermints and gums.

Since settlement in the 1820s, the area has been used for agriculture, logging and gold mining operations fostering villages at Newington, Bywong and Brooks Creek. More recently the area's proximity to Canberra has made it a desirable site for housing developments. The consequence of almost 200 years of change has meant the disappearance of fauna once common in the area such as brolgas and green and gold bell frogs. Loss of habitat has meant that more species, such as the superb parrot, Rosenberg's monitor and a species of sugar glider are also under threat.

The area retains small but valuable remnants of the once extensive woodlands, forests and native grasslands. However, this generation has inherited, and in some cases continues to contribute to, significant problems with erosion, rising water tables, salinity, habitat loss, river degradation, weed infestation, overgrazing and feral pests.

scientists estimate that many millions of native trees must be re-established on the Southern Tablelands in order to arrest and reverse land degradation and restore habitat for the future. We can all help by planting our own properties with the appropriate species. Landcare is happy to provide a list of suitable plants!

many trees and shrubs commonly planted in suburban gardens, including cotoneaster, broom, firethorn, hawthorn and pampas grass can become serious pests when planted in a rural environment, as can pines, poplars and willows in many situations. Landcare is happy to provide a list (including some native species) of unsuitable plants!

dead and fallen trees, plus mature eucalypts with hollows, provide breeding habitats for birds, reptiles, frogs, small mammals and invertebrates. So, providing they're not too close to the house forming a bushfire hazard, leave these to provide much needed homes. This also goes for termite mounds, which are necessary for the Rosenberg's monitor to breed and are not the same termites which eat houses!

planting a variety of flowering native trees, shrubs and herbs is an easy way to increase food resources and shelter for local fauna. Landcare is happy to advise on suitable choices.

a well-maintained pasture of native grasses can bind fragile soils, prevent erosion and help drought-proof a property. Landcare can help you learn to identify native grasses and propagate them.

family pets, particularly cats, can be a threat to many species of local fauna. Consider methods of controlling these family members so they don't roam freely, especially at night. A night-time stroll which torch in hand might reveal bats, possums and night birds which you didn't know existed!

welcomes all-comers to its meetings, held at 7.30 on the second Monday of the month (unless otherwise advertised) at the Bywong Community Hall, Birriwa Rd (Off Macs Reef Rd)

encourages and participates in the propagation and planting of natives trees as windbreaks, shelter belts and habitat