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Habitat Restoration Phase 4 2003 - 2009 Summary This phase focused on maintaining all areas previously worked and only making small extensions to reduce particular threats from weeds. Review of methods Heat events had already killed flying-foxes. These are predicted to become more frequent with climate change. In extreme conditions the flying-foxes were observed to use the moist weedy understorey of trad, Tradescantia fluminensis, outside the area of restoration to date. Certainly the Habitat Restoration Project had restored the canopy trees but we now questioned whether the mix of native understorey species regenerated to date, would satisfy the needs of the flying-foxes in the future. Although species diverse, the ground cover was dominated by ferns which died back during periods of low rainfall and high temperatures. KBCS responded by As the drought was becoming more severe, wallabies severely browsed unprotected young trees and shrubs, destroying some of our previous efforts. 100 more roost tree seedlings were planted, protected by wallaby exclusion cages using wooden stakes and plastic mesh. These were planted amongst the weedy understorey, amongst lantana and surrounded by trad but located where there was a gap in the canopy trees. Roll back enough trad, plant the tree seedling, spread over the ground one metre sqare of 20% shade cloth around the seedling. Water well. Erect a tree guard made from 1 metre tall plastic mesh held in place with stakes. Many of these trees are now growing vigorously but for several year the lantana and other weeds need to be cut back to avoid them being overwhelmed. 
Envirofund Grant (2003 -2004) Funded by the Commonwealth Government, the " Grey-headed Flying-fox, a vulnerable species - education and habitat extension Phase 4" provided $8,100 enabled maintenance and a small extension of Area 3ci, which continued to be used by the flying-foxes. Again, canopy threatening vines such as morning glory was targeted. $500 for replacement tools (knife, trowel, secateurs, folding saw, pouch) for volunteers $3,450 to design and print colour brochure about grey-headed flying-fox for distribution to residents of Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve and other communities who live near flying-fox camps in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. These funds were matched by Council's maintenance funding, Bushcare volunteer hours and KBCS community events.
Community events 2003 - 2004 To ensure that the local community had an opportunity to know the findings of the Neighbours of Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve: community attitudes survey - 2001, KBCS mounted a display in the public library at Gordon for a month. Street meetings
Neighbours of the Reserve were invited to meet KBCS members via leaflets dropped in letterboxes and articles in local newspapers. Portable displays included photographs of the grey-headed flying-fox, Habitat Restoration Project, samples of local weeds and a live ‘education flying-fox'. Although we had hoped to explain how weeds ‘jump the garden fence', and how best to remove them, only a few people showed interest. The live flying-fox attracted the most interest, leading neighbours to encourage other families to come out to see.
Our catchment day, Backyard Mysteries - discover new things about your backyard and beyond, was held in the Scout Hall in Stoney Creek Catchment. Although local schools and Bushcare Groups were especially invited, it seems people are so busy these days that few had the time to attend. Only about 50 people attended and many were familiar faces. We had hoped to reach new people.
2005 - 2006 Ku-ring-gai Council Environmental Levy Grant
Aim: to sustain habitats in the Stoney Creek valley by encouraging neighbours of the Reserve to remove invasive plants from their gardens and to refrain from dumping vegetation into the Reserve. Weed cards were developed, using photographs taken by KBCS members. One side identified the weed while the reverse illustrated how it should be removed. Link to come! Letters were sent to 133 residents backing on to the Reserve inviting them to participate in the project and a project officer was engaged to advise them. However the participation rate was less than anticipated with only 9 invitations for consultations out of some 130 potential. A different approach is clearly required to encourage residents to refrain from permitting weeds to escape from their properties into the reserve. 2007 Ku-ring-gai Environmental Levy Grant KBCS received a further grant of $5,000 to engage contractors, with abseiling skills, to remove weeds on cliffs bordering the Reserve, at the rear of residents' properties. Two sections of cliff, one on the north side and the other on the south side have been treated in this way. The volunteers will treat weeds below these cliffs and residents will be encouraged to remove weeds on their properties above to reduce their spread into the Reserve. Last modified by Nancy Pallin on 2009/03/17.
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