With thanks to our 11 regular volunteers throughout 2019, Taperoo Dunes have had a huge year. We started the year with a personalised calendar full of Taperoo Dunes photos which we distributed to group members, stakeholders and local environmental organisations.
Coast care work continued as usual on a weekly basis. Regular weeding, planting and rubbish collection are really making a difference in the area we work on. Natives are able to thrive and we have noticed more and more native plants self seeding and growing throughout the dunes. During our time in the dunes we observe birds, animals and plants and it seems that each week we learn a little bit more about the dune ecosystem.
We also had a series of visits from people interested in learning more about our work including local councillors, our Mayor Claire Boan and our local Member of Parliament Susan Close. We report matters to be remedied such as the removal by the council of significant areas of rubbish in the bushes spotted by our dune sleuths and we were also pleased to see that our comments were taken onboard with the subsequent improvement of the northern exit from the car park.
It was wonderful to launch our website this year and we are continuing to add local photos and information to it. We hope the website helps inform people about the birds, animals and plants – natives and weeds alike – found in our patch. Regular posts to our Facebook page continue to inform readers of the various tasks we are tackling each week. Our sign project earlier this year was made possible after a Place Making grant from the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, which allowed us to create and install 15 signs along the walkway at the top of Taperoo Dunes for everyone to enjoy. Each sign highlights an aspect of dunes life and features Kym’s amazing photos.
It has also been good to help the Semaphore Largs Dunes group become established this year as well as working with other local environment groups. Our regular Coast Care work is our core business and the dunes are improving each week. It was wonderful to have our work acknowledged by winning the SA Coast Care Award towards the end of this year, and being given the opportunity to speak about our work on the dunes at the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare annual dinner at Parliament House.
Thanks to everyone who supports us and especially NRM and the City of PAE. Taperoo Dunes Group downed tools today for a well earned break over the holiday season and we will resume again on Monday 6 January 2020 at 9am. We welcome new volunteers, so join us if you would like to help.
We look forward to another year of working to improve the precious Taperoo Dunes – an area unique in Metropolitan Adelaide. From all of us at Taperoo Dunes, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
End of Year Update!
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