The Avoca Beach Dunecare group will hold two community planting days in coming weeks, with residents invited to help plant native seedlings in the newly-cleared dunes behind the shark tower at Avoca.
Since early 2023, a group of volunteers from Avoca and North Avoca, under the guidance of Central Coast Council’s environmental officers, have been meeting once a month with the goal of regenerating the dunes.
They are in poor shape, having been left unmanaged for many years.
The dunes are filled with invasive plants such as asparagus fern and lantana which smother native species and prevent them from flourishing.
“The area was overrun with rabbits and full of rubbish when we started but, after two years of TLC, we are beginning to see the impact of our work,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re winning our battle with the weeds, and native plants are beginning to appear again.
“Long term, we hope to improve the diversity of the fauna and flora of the dunes, restoring a more natural habitat, consistent with local and federal government objectives.
“This will help reduce erosion and enhance the beach’s natural ecosystems, encouraging the return of native plants and the animals that depend on them.”
For the planting days the group has bought native plants suited to a coastal dune location.
These include Spinifex, Carpobrutus (pig face), Pelargonium, Correa, Breynia, Acacia, and Banksia.
“All these plants are well adapted to the challenging conditions on a dune – such as wind, drought and saltwater spray,” the spokesperson said.
“We are grateful to BUPA and Landcare Australia for awarding us the grant that enabled us to purchase the native plants.”
The sessions will be held from 10am on Saturday, April 26, and Friday, May 16.
Volunteers are invited to meet in the shark tower carpark at 9am when gloves, tools and expert advice on planting will be provided.
Participants are advised to wear long pants and sturdy shoes to avoid injury and children are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult.
For more details email ja43024@gmail.com
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