Council natural resource officer Paul Marshall spoke at the inaugural working bee on November 23.

“Mansfield Reserve is a 34 hectare remnant bushland public reserve with high environmental value that was donated to Council 25 years ago by the late Peter Baillieu,” he said.

“The reserve contains three state-listed Endangered Ecological Communities including the Southern Highland Shale Woodland, Mt Gibraltar Forest and Robertson Basalt Tall Open Forest.”

In addition to its high conservation value, Mansfield Reserve is also a popular bushwalking area.

The new Bushcare Group will begin by undertaking monthly working bees to protect native plants, remove environmental weeds and monitor pest species.

The group operates under council’s Bushcare Program with volunteers registered and provided with training and support from the Bushcare team.

Members are covered by council’s insurance policies and are supported by council’s environment and sustainability branch.

“Mansfield Reserve is a particularly special area that supports a diverse range of native flora and fauna,” Mr Marshall said.

“We’re thrilled locals have banded together to form this group that will help enhance and protect this beautiful reserve.”

Anyone wishing to join the Mansfield Reserve Bushcare Group, or any of the shire’s other Bushcare groups, can call council on 4868 0772.

“Bushcare volunteers not only make a real contribution to protecting our environment, but they also gain a lot of personal satisfaction, knowledge and skills,” he said.

“They also get to meet some great like-minded people and have a fair bit of fun in the process.”

For further information on council’s Bushcare program visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/bushcare or contact council’s natural resource officer on 4868 0772 or email paul.marshall@wsc.nsw.gov.au.