October 26, 2015

Path to regeneration highlighted with new tree walks

UOW will celebrate 40 years of native flora regeneration on its main campus with the launch of two new tree walks.

UOW will celebrate 40 years of native flora regeneration on its main campus with the launch of two new campus tree walks on Tuesday 27 October.

The School of Biological Sciences’ Janet Cosh Herbarium has developed the self-guided campus tree walks, which encompasses 50 species of Eucalypts and rainforest trees that are native to the Illawarra region and provides information on their botanical, historical and cultural significance.

UOW has planted more than 50,000 mostly native trees and plants on its main campus since the University grounds were converted from farmland in the 1950s.

In 1975, UOW landscape supervisor Leon Fuller commenced a program of propagating and planting indigenous trees and shrubs on the 82.4 hectares on which UOW resides between the escarpment of Mount Keira and the Pacific Ocean.

This strategy of utilising Australian native plant species such as Eucalypts, Grevilleas, Banksias and Illawarra Flame Trees, was reinforced by Bruce Mackenzie’s landscape master plan, completed in 1979, and has been maintained by subsequent landscape staff.

Professor Kris French, an expert in how anthropogenic disturbances interrupt animal and plant populations and Director of the Janet Cosh Herbarium, said native tree plantings on UOW campus were well established by 1983 when plans for the Keira Green Corridor were developed to provide a sanctuary for wildlife.

“This corridor links the vegetation of the escarpment with that of the coast, providing valuable habitat and assisting the migration of local fauna and flora species,” she said.

“Many Australian native fauna have been spotted on campus, including echidna, flying foxes, sugar gliders, tawny frogmouth and Australian king parrots.”

Professor French, who developed the walks with her team at the Herbarium, said the two new walks would replace the original campus tree walk that was designed in 1995, but has been outgrown by the campus’ flourishing flora.

The Eucalypt Walk consists of 25 species of Eucalypts and related species, which would have either been originally growing on the UOW site or are commonly found in the Wollongong and Illawarra area.

The Rainforest Walk also includes 25 species of indigenous plants. Rainforest species are a common component of moist Eucalypt forests, which would have been present on the UOW site.

Further information about the walks is available from the Janet Cosh Herbarium. Guided tours are conducted on request.