Monthly meeting and group weeding next Thursday (1 March) - group weeding is at Marcoola in front of Bulli Cafe from 8am

Local plantlife conservation projects

Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Corridor

The beautiful Richmond Birdwing Butterfly is a Coolum Native but the caterpillars only food plant called the Pararistolochia or Butterfly Vine is fast disappearing with the loss of bushlands. We are encouraging Coolum residents, neighbourhoods, schools and parks to purchase, plant the vine (available at the Coolum Community Native Nursery) and let Coast Care know the location so that we have a continual corridor for butterfly reproduction.

For more information see the Links page or contact Ruth (07) 54462542 or Jan (07) 54739768

Pandanus Monitoring

Pandanus dieback is caused by an infestation of flatid (Jamella australiae). The flatid feeds on the tree’s sap and as such produces a sticky by-product that encourages mould growth. The mould growth results in leaves dropping and the trunk and branches showing signs of stress at the tree’s growing points and eventually the death of the entire tree. Management approaches to address the dieback of Pandanus (Pandanus tectorius) focus on mapping and monitoring of populations and, if necessary, treatment. A change in direction focuses on maintaining population of the parasitic wasp to control levels of the flatid populations. Teams of Coolum District Coast Care Group (CDCCG) volunteers and Council Officers map and monitor Pandanus population and evidence of the wasps activity in accessible sections of the coast from Stumers Creek to Maroochy River in March and November each year.

Coolum Community Native Nursery

The Coolum Community Native Nursery (CCNN) is an initiative of Coolum District Coast Care Group, Maroochy Waterwatch and Yaroomba Progress Association. Located at 157 Warran Road, Yaroomba, it operates as a not-for-profit business with CDCCG and Maroochy Waterwatch on the Advisory Committee. The Nursery propagates and sells local native plants to help maintain natural habitat and educate the public about use of natives in home and community gardens. We encourage volunteers to join with others in seed collection (Mondays) and nursery work anytime, but mainly Wednesday and Thursday. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 7:30am-3:30pm, with Saturday 8:30am-12:30pm. Come in to look, buy, or just chat – or consider helping out as a volunteer.