HEALING THE LANDSCAPE

Weed management

Weeds like privet and lantana are common in Hornsby Park’s bushland, but they didn’t arrive by accident. They followed disturbance: clearing, quarrying, and changes to soil and water.

For decades, these plants have shaped the valley’s ecology. Birds nest in them, mammals shelter beneath them, and insects forage among their leaves. Remove them too quickly, and we risk losing the habitat they now provide.

Restoration here is carefully planned and deliberate. Weeds are removed in patches, allowing native plants to return and take their place, or be supplemented by plants grown locally. It’s a slow process, guided by the forest’s own pace.