Paddled from Yarramundi reserve up the Grose to the first rapid as the river was up a little from the recent raain and so I could paddle up the river without getting out of the kayak. I did the paddle because I have seen one black willow seeding when we did the source to sea story for ABC Landline but did not have a tool kit with me. I found and treated 10 black willow seedlings all the way up to the rapid and also found a couple on the way back that I had missed on the way up the river. I also checked out and took phoots of woods reserve where the Blue Mountains and Sydney Bass Fishing clubs were removing lantana in 2008-09. contactors have been working with NPWs staff on the site to expand the work up alongt he steeper sections of the creek lines. It is look really great with no sign of lantana and tobacco bush in the area being cleared.  

when I got back to yarramundi I paddled down the Hawkesbury for abaout 1 kilometer to do followup on the banks and islands treated in 2008-09. I treated another 20 black willows but noted some other which I will need to go back and treat. It was very hot on saturday and so I finished up arroung 15:00.

I was however a great day on the river and this demonstrated how adventure conservation can provide valuable input into conservation programs as at very little cost to the community (0.3 litres of roundup) someone with the appropriate training and out for a fun paddle can monitor and treat any seeding willows they see. 

Participants:

Jeff Cottrell