By: Michael Fox

Another beautiful Autumn day when Christine, Benno and I welcomed the Ausco Modular team back to our project of rewilding Mt Gravatt Showgrounds by continuing the Ausco Wildflower Walk.

It is inspiring watching the team working hard to help build our dream of creating another stepping stone for wildlife of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve needing to move through the urban matrix.

The first step was to remove patches of grass to create space for each plant. One special space we found was a hollow stump which allowed us to plant a tree to replace the one that had been cut down years ago.

Research of the original Regional Ecosystem covering the Showgrounds: 12.9-10/12, provided a guide to plant species to suit the site and provide food for local birds, butterflies and bees. One species: Eucalyptus seeana Narrow-leaved Red Gum are still on site with several specimens at least 200 years old. So it was particularly special to plant trees that our community to appreciate in another 200 years.

Small forest birds like Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wrens moving from Mt Gravatt Reserve need insects for food however they also safe habitat for nesting. Vines like Hibbertia scandens Twining Guinea Flower scrambling over Habitat Tripods will create habitat for small birds as well as attracting many species of native solitary bees like the Xylocopa (genus) Great Carpenter Bee.

The Ausco construction team stepped up to assemble our Tripod ready for planting the Twining Guinea Flower.

Creating wildlife habitat in the Showgrounds will show community members the beauty of our local natives and demonstrate the importance of Plant Local to Feed Local as 80% of butterfly and moth caterpillars cannot feed on plants with which they have not evolved.

Installing information signs will engage community members with photos of flowers and wildlife that will visit. Including the map of where the species occurs naturally will reinforce the Plant Local to Feed Local message.

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Local species also thrive in the habitat where they evolved. When we checked the Eucalyptus seeana after two weeks there is already significant new growth.

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While we were working we also observed two butterfly species, a dragon fly and worms in the mulch.

Glasswing butterflies Acraea andromacha are already found in Mt Gravatt Reserve and Spade Flower Hybanthus stellarioides is one of the species we planted.

Thank you to the Ausco Modular team for your support.