Desoto Place Bushcare Group

20/10/2026

A group of locals are in the process of forming the Forest Lake Citizen Science Association. Would you like to join us?

Our Mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the health, biodiversity, and natural values of Forest Lake and its surrounding environment.

Primary Purpose: Scientific & Environmental Stewardship: We use community‑led citizen science to collect reliable local data, guide evidence‑based action, and strengthen environmental stewardship across our catchment. We support responsible wildlife management, protect habitats and waterways, and promote practical solutions that improve water quality, protect native species, and build a healthy, resilient ecosystem.

Our Approach: Community Engagement & Social Wellbeing: We empower residents and local landholders through education, collaboration, and advocacy to make sustainable choices. By creating inclusive opportunities to connect with nature and community, we strengthen local waterway liveability, foster social wellbeing, and build lasting stewardship to safeguard Forest Lake for generations to come.

If there is anything that is concerning you about the environmental health around Forest Lake, and you'd like to discuss what we can do about it, then join us. Our next meeting is Wednesday 22nd October, 5-6pm at the Forest Lake Tavern.

Send a message to learn more

20/10/2026

We'll be taking part in the Great Aussie Bird Count this Sunday, how many types of birds do you think we'll see?

11/10/2026

What a crazy day at bushcare today!
1. There was an explosion from the waterfall area that flows under Grand Avenue. Vandals had graffitied the area and then set fire to a can a lot of paint pollution in the water flowing to the lake.
2. A brushtail possum was shaking and immobile under a tree in the park and had to be taken to the wildlife hospital. The possum was found very close to large piles of rolled oats someone had left out for wildlife to eat. Rolled oats are bad for opportunistic feeders like brushtail possums, and overeating them can lead to physical collapse and death.
3. We collected a lot of fallen leaves as mulch, and dug test holes for our planting area. We are all ready for all the flowering plants to go in next week! The best thing we can do for our native wildlife is plant to grow plants that are party of their natural diet.
Hopefully see you next time on the 25th October!

11/10/2026

The great Aussie birdcount is coming up soon! We will be collecting bird survey data at our next bushcare working bee on the 25th of October, as well as planting!

Free and fun. Give the birds 20 minutes

05/10/2026

One of the nice things about Bushcare is attracting the attention of the local birds while we are doing our work. A family of butcherbirds are the most interested in our work. A group of five or more will perch in the branches around us. They live in family groups where the main mating pair gets assistance from other "helper" birds to feed the chicks and defend their territory.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TxZtH692S/

05/10/2026

One of the nice things about Bushcare is attracting the attention of the local birds while we are doing our work. A family of butcherbirds are the most interested in our work. A group of five or more will perch in the branches around us. They live in family groups where the main mating pair gets assistance from other "helper" birds to feed the chicks and defend their territory.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TxZtH692S/

27/09/2026

We had a huge afternoon at Bushcare. We completely cleared a large section of Dyschoriste that was invading the bush, and it’s now ready for planting next month. The butcherbirds sang their songs of appreciation as we worked and then took over the site as their insect‑hunting ground. The kids renovated their bush hut with flowers, and we finished with a litter pick‑up around the area. We will sleep well tonight :)

14/09/2026

We had a wonderful time at the Bushcare working bee yesterday afternoon. We met three new helpers and chose the spot for our pollinator planting on 25 October. There was plenty of Dyschoriste depressa and other weeds to remove, and the kids did an excellent job marking out the planting boundary and building a nature house from sticks.

03/09/2026

Please consider signing this petition to protect nature through more finding in the budget.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18nVLx3viM/

Less than 0.1% of Australian tax dollars are spent on nature. It’s nowhere near enough. Australia is the only wealthy country on the global list of deforestation hotspots. No other country has sent more mammals to extinction. Our iconic animals like Tasmanian devils and quolls face growing threats...