Denmark Hill Bushcare

07/06/2026

Another great session completed in Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve on Sunday under the watchful eye of this butcher bird, who appointed themselves as lead foreman. We demolished a large patch of “mother of millions” above the old quarry and watered in the recent planting. The ducks have also returned and are enjoying the replenished pond.

13/05/2026

Happy Birthday Dave. Thanks for the endless curiosity, inspiration, wonder and everything else.

David Attenborough has captured and told the stories of nature to millions of people – and inspired scientists and conservationists the world over.

11/05/2026

Thanks again for the shout out IVC and congratulations on getting your page up and running. It looks like a whole lot of work for a very good cause. All the best.

🌱 Ipswich Verge Collective – Built Local, Meant for Everyone 🌱

Ipswich Verge Collective started here because there was a gap here. A need and a chance to do better with the space right outside our homes.

But let’s be clear about something:

This was never just about Ipswich.

Yes, most of the resources we share are Ipswich City Council-based.

Yes, the programs, plants, and processes often start here.

But the idea, That belongs to everyone.

From Somerset to Brisbane, Logan to the Gold Coast. If you’ve got a strip of land, a verge, a front yard, or even a few pots you’re part of this.

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Australia is one of the most urbanised countries on earth — about 67% of us live in major cities.

That means the fight for biodiversity, cooling our suburbs, and improving livability is happening right where we live.

And here’s what most people don’t realise:

Urban spaces are critical habitat not just empty green space. Small patches (verges, yards, gardens) can reconnect fragmented ecosystems. Without intervention, those systems keep declining

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🐾 The uncomfortable truth

We’ve built suburbs that look green but function like ecological deserts. And while that’s happening, pressures don’t stop.

For example

Across Australia, cats alone kill millions of native animals every year and urban areas are often the last refuge many species have left.

That means the smallest spaces, They’re not decorative. They’re frontline.

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🌿 This isn’t a solo effort and it never was

There are already incredible groups doing the work:

🌳 Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve Association

Denmark Hill Bushcare

A powerhouse of local conservation and right now, they’re actively seeking volunteers to help protect and restore one of Ipswich’s most important natural areas.

🌄 Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance Inc

Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance Inc

Fighting to preserve one of Brisbane’s most significant environmental and recreational landscapes.

These groups aren’t competitors. They’re proof of something bigger.

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A borderless movement defined by Different groups. Different suburbs and guided by the same goal.

This isn’t defined by council boundaries or postcodes.

It’s a shared ideology to Protect what’s left and Repair what we can and to stop pretending small actions don’t matter.

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🌱 What Verge Collective is really about

✔ Turning “leftover land” into habitat
✔ Reconnecting green space across suburbs
✔ Giving people a practical way to contribute
✔ Making streets cooler, healthier, and alive again

Because when enough people do a little…
it stops being little.

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🤝 So whether you’re in Ipswich or not…

Take the idea and Adapt it. Run with it.

Use your council’s programs.
Push for better ones if they don’t exist.
Plant natives.
Create habitat.
Make your street better than it was yesterday.

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🌱 Ipswich Verge Collective just happens to be the starting point.

This is bigger than a page.
Bigger than a suburb.

It’s a movement and it doesn’t stop at the boundary sign.

Disclaimer:

Images are suggestive in nature only and not affiliated with any council or government organisations or initiatives.

06/05/2026

The quarry pond is looking very sad at the moment with the lack of rain, but the low water level gave us the opportunity to plant some marginal species along the edge for frog habitat. Thanks to Erin, Sandra, Terri, Lynn, Wendell, Michelle and Cheryl for all your help clearing up the fallen tree debris, planting and hosing. The beagle approves.

05/05/2026

Our plant of the week which we installed a number of in the reserve on Sunday, is the unfortunately named Poison Peach (Trema tomentosa). This species is a hardy and open shrub with attractive leaves to about 3m high and is a good source of food and shelter for local wildlife. While it is potentially toxic to livestock in large quantities, in the habitat garden it is an excellent option for quickly filling those difficult spots in part shade, either under an established canopy or against a fence at the back of a bed. I would suggest using more than one to create a unifying understorey or light screen, and it can be pruned to shape and thicken up as required. Many local birds eat the small black fruit, and it is also a host plant for the Speckled Line-blue butterfly.

Note: When young it can look a bit like the weedy Chinese Elm, but with larger leaves, a finer serrated margin and three prominent mid veins. So don't remove if you are unsure as they often pop up in disturbed areas.

03/05/2026

One of the many local species in the reserve which has benefited from the removal of weedy competitors is the Monkey Rope Vine (Parsonia straminea) which a robust and fragrant creeper that will cover a sturdy fence, pergola or chicken coop in the back yard. It can be controlled through pruning as required and provides excellent butterfly habitat and sheltered nesting for small birds. If you zoom in on this photo you will lose count of how many ‘blue tigers’ this one has attracted in an Ipswich garden. Thanks to vollie Lynn for the image.

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

https://www.realestate.com.au/news/why-your-wasted-nature-strip-is-bad-for-your-wallet-and-the-environment/?campaignType=external&campaignChannel=paid_social&campaignSource=facebook&campaignName=content&campaignPlacement=facebook_feed&campaignContent=news&fbclid=IwdGRjcAReHo1leHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqy4AgN4ls3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4zBe-CfizFU8FsZobEv1MaJohBUGA5g0CpK637KVmFTZiLceso4AxXReifWA_aem_W6hfBdC9eWjeswqKEMjTPg&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120239384277140099&utm_content=120240393797550099&utm_term=120240185542540099&utm_campaign=120239384277140099

Green spaces in Australian neighbourhoods are being “wasted” and costing the average Aussie homeowner thousands of dollars out of pocket every year.

13/04/2026

Another Sunday session in the reserve completed with an extensive round of bucket watering to combat the dry conditions and weeding of the persistent corky passionfruit and crab eye vines, which seem to thrive despite them. Thanks to Cheryl, Wendell Michelle and Sandra for all your hard work and staying a little longer to get it done.

Plant of the week is the Brisbane Laurel (Pittosporum revolutum) which is proven local performer that is ideal for the back garden (1.5 - 3m) with its open form, bronzed new leaves & perfumed yellow tubular flowers Sept/Nov. These are followed by curious knobbly, yellow pods which peel open to reveal sticky red seeds that attract a variety of birds & bees. Good for a shady spot under a tree.

08/02/2026

A belated thank you to Erin, Lynn, Michelle, Lauren, Cheryl, Wendell and Terri, with apologies to Sandra for not realising that the shrub was in the way. Your collective enthusiasm for this project continues to inspire and our little patch is now really coming along, despite the dry weather. A special mention to master chef Lynn for the delicious bannana muffins and Lauren for joining the crew.
Plant of the month is the Turkey Bush (Psychotria daphnoidies) which is a lovely, locally occurring open shrub to about 4m, that provides food and shelter for small birds and butterflies. Suitable to back yards and a great addition to the habitat garden.