Plant walk a success at Rogers Reserve friends meeting 21/03/2014

Over 22 local residents interested in joining a "Friends of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve Group" attended a casual meeting at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on Friday.  The group were treated to a guided tour through the eastern side of the bushland reserve by Trish Gardner.  Trish shared her extensive knowledge of the native plants within the reserve and explained the importance of the various layers of forest that make up the ecosystem.  The morning started off a little misty and the distinct sound of Eastern Whipbirds could be heard throughout the reserve.  The morning mist cleared giving ideal conditions for the group to catch up over a cup of coffee after the walk.

Councillor Bill Cahill attended the beginning of the walk and expressed his support and personal interest in the new friends group.  Frida Forsberg from the Queensland Greens travelled to Highfields from Beachmere, Brisbane to visit the reserve to experience the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve in person after hearing about the recent petition.  Achim Eberhart from Toowoomba Regional Council attended the plant walk and then spoke to the group about the suitable options and guidelines for creating a friends group and listened to the groups ideas and suggestions for future projects for the reserve.

In accordance with TRC, the friends group will hold informal walks once a month along with a variety of different activities during the year including informal get-togethers, tree planting, weeding and educational events.   To register your interest in attending, please sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/PwZTP

Some of the group prior to starting off on the plant walk at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 21/03/14

Trish Gardner explaining about "bush tucker" during the Plant Walk  at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve

Some members of the group spotted this beautiful Male King Parrot leaving a large nesting hollow at the Reserve. 

He was followed by his female partner who emerged from the hole once he flew off

The group looking at the Red-Olive Plum Tree laden with fruits at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve

Interesting patterns on the leaf of a "Coffee Bush" made by an unknown insect.

Trish explains the importance of the forest vines and their important role in the ecosystem.

The smallest member of the group enjoying the outing at the Rogers Reserve.

The Group inspecting the remains of the oldest tree in the Reserve, thought to be over a 1000 years old - now fallen within the reserve.